Brazil launches its own "historical memory project"

In 2007, the Spanish Socialist government, led by President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, passed the controversial Law of Historical Memory. The law was intended to provide a public condemnation of the Franco regime, by offering symbolic and economic reparations to victims of the dictatorship (and in some cases, descendants of those victims as well). The law also promised removal of Francoist symbols, except in the case of so-called "artistic religious" reasons. One of the most publicized articles also prohibited political demonstrations at the Valle de los Caídos site, the grotesque Fascist mausoleum where Franco is buried. The site had become the stomping ground of ultra-right Phalangist groups, particular on November 20, the anniversary of Franco's death. In addition to these areas, perhaps one of the most important features of the law was its promise to locate, identify and exhume the thousands of mass graves scattered throughout Spain, graves which are not just remnants of the war, but of the brutal postwar repression. On another occasion, I will write more in depth on the case of Spain, but as I already do this on a daily basis on my other blog, I would like to note here the case of Brazil.

Apparently, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio da Silva, has launched a similar project to that of Spain. I first saw this news item in ABC, the conservative Spanish paper, and I haven't been able to find it in English, so I will translate the first paragraph of the original article:

Lula lanza en Brasil su proyecto de «ley de la memoria histórica»

VERÓNICA GOYZUETA | SAO PAULO (ABC.es)

El presidente brasileño, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, anunció ayer la creación de una comisión para investigar los crímenes cometidos durante la dictadura militar, y castigar las violaciones de derechos humanos ocurridas entre 1964 y 1985. Lula declaró que lo más importante es «dilucidar la responsabilidad de los militares». El presidente, que también fue perseguido durante el régimen militar, afirmó que «sufriremos menos si hacemos de nuestros muertos héroes».

The Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, announced yesterday the creation of a commission to investigate crimes committed during the military dictatorship, and to punish human rights violations carried out between 1964 and 1985. Lula affirmed that of most importance will be "elucidating the responsibility of the military." The president, who was also persecuted during the military regime, stated that "we will suffer less if we make heroes of our dead."

I was originally attracted to this article via my Google Reader, when I spotted the phrase "ley de memoria histórica." However, as I quickly noted, the news article does not ever quote Lula as talking about this law, in the Brazilian or any other context. ABC has never been supportive of Zapatero, or of the Law of Historical Memory, so I'm sure the title was a "wink" to readers. Let's just say I usually read El País.

In any case, regarding Brazil, I think it is always a step forward when leaders address the crimes of past regimes. It may not always be popular at the moment, but it is better than waiting, like Spain did, some 30 years after Franco's death. It is interesting to note that Lula and Michelle Bachelet, the current Chilean president, suffered under military dictatorships (Bachelet and her family were tortured under Pinochet). Each is now trying to deal with that past.