One year later, STF ministers comment on attacks on the Powers in 8/1

With the 8th of January approaching, which will mark one year since the attacks on the Três Poderes buildings in Brasília, the ministers of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) took a position on the date.

According to the president of the STF, minister Luís Roberto Barroso, “January 8th showed that continued disrespect for institutions, misinformation and false and irresponsible accusations of non-existent electoral fraud can lead to very serious criminal behavior”.

“The lesson is that criminal acts like these have consequences and that it is not possible to minimize or relativize what happened. Punishments are coming and fulfilling one of the roles of Criminal Law, which is to dissuade people from acting like this again in the future. Although it may seem paradoxical, Brazilian democracy emerged strengthened from the episode,” said Barroso.

For Minister Edson Fachin, the STF is giving “the best response to those who went to trial, the process; to those who lied, the truth; and to those who only see their own reasons, coexistence with difference”.

Gilmar Mendes highlighted that after a year of the attacks, Brazil can “celebrate the solidity of its institutions”. “We could be somewhere lamenting the story of our downfall, but we are here, thanks to an entire institutional system, telling how democracy survived and survived well in Brazil,” said Mendes.

The minister Carmen Lucia refers to January 8th as “a scar and “a wound caused by the injury to democracy”. “It cannot be allowed to happen again,” she said.

The rapporteur for the actions of the January 8 prisoners, minister Alexandre de Moraes, said that “the responses of the attacked institutions show Brazil’s institutional strength”.

“Democracy is not at stake, it has emerged strengthened. The institutions have demonstrated throughout this year that they will not tolerate any attack on democracy, any attack on the rule of law. Those who are responsible will be condemned to the extent of their culpability”, said Moraes.

See the statement from other STF ministers:

Minister Dias Toffoli
“The brutality of the attacks on January 8th was unable to shake democracy. Society’s rejection and the institutions’ quick response demonstrate that in our country there is no space for acts that undermine the Democratic Rule of Law.”

Minister Luiz Fux
“Democracy remained unshaken and was present in the exemplary punishment against those who violated this greatest idea of ​​the Federal Constitution: the Democratic Regime!”

Minister Nunes Marques
“The rapid reconstruction of the headquarters of the Three Powers brought greater symbolism to the regrettable episode, revealing the authorities’ pride and readiness to respond to any attacks against the Rule of Law. More than that, it served to restore society’s trust, safeguard the country’s international image and ensure criminals are held accountable. All people carry, in their culture and history, their hauntings, but a healthy society cannot be built without adequately confronting what we want to forget.”

Minister André Mendonça
“Instead of having grooves due to January 8th, democracy emerged stronger. Events like this, regardless of the most diverse perspectives and worldviews, cannot be legitimized and should not be forgotten. We grew up living with differences, which presuppose respect, the ability to listen and dialogue. No disagreement justifies the act of violence.”

Minister Cristiano Zanin
“After a year of vile attacks against democracy, I am fully convinced that institutions are stronger and, above all, united. It is necessary to always revisit January 8, 2023 so that moments like those do not tarnish the history of Brazil again.”