Attempt to criminalize MST is unacceptable, says Dilma

President Dilma Rousseff, dismissed by a coup, sent a note of solidarity to the movement's School, which was invaded by civilian police on November 4, 2016.

Da Página do MST

In defense of the Landless Workers Movement (MST), outgoing President Dilma Rousseff sent a letter of solidarity to the National School Florestan Fernandes (ENFF), which was invaded by civilian police on Friday (November 4, 2016). In the note, Rousseff said it was unacceptable to try to criminalize the movement.

For her, there is a frightening process of retrogression in Brazil, which began with the coup, and maintains a "State of Exception in the Country".

"It is unfortunate that the week ends with new assaults on civil rights and attempts to criminalize social movements. The violation of the rules of the rule of law, with the adoption of clear measures of exception, must be fought. Shame the country in the eyes of the world,” s he said.

The president also said that it is not possible that the population to remain silent before the violence of the State against whoever it is. "We cannot accept living with scenes in which police bring students to handcuffs and jail. This is unacceptable in a democracy," she said.

Check out the full note:

Exception State

It is frightening that the retrogression that has been taking place in Brazil, begun with the coup, maintains the dangerous course of building a State of Exception in Brazil.

The invasion of the Florestan Fernandes National School, linked to the MST, is a serious precedent. There is no reason to admit repressive police actions that result in lethal shots and threats, even more so in a school.

Nor is it acceptable to criminalize the MST. Let's not be silent about the trivialization of state violence against anyone. We cannot accept living with scenes in which police submit students to handcuffs and jail. This is unacceptable in a democracy.

It is unfortunate that the week ends with further assaults on civil rights and attempts to criminalize social movements. The violation of the rules of the rule of law, with the adoption of clear measures of exception, must be fought. It is a threat to democracy that shames the country in the eyes of the world.

Dilma Rousseff

November 5, 2016