PGR speaks out in favor of action that calls for a national plan against “structural racism”

The Attorney General’s Office (PGR) defended this Thursday (23) the merits of the action that calls for the adoption of a national plan to combat “structural racism”. The Federal Supreme Court (STF) concluded the first stage of the trial of the Allegation of Non-compliance with Fundamental Precept (ADPF) 973.

The action was presented by the Black Coalition for Rights, an entity that brings together representatives of the black movement and seven political parties (PT, Psol, PSB, PCdoB, Rede, PDT and PV). The captions ask the Court to recognize the existence of an “unconstitutional state of affairs” in relation to structural racism in the country. If the Supreme Court accepts the request, the federal government and the states will be required to adopt policies to repair and combat police lethality against black people, among other measures, reported the Brazil Agency.

The interim Attorney General of the Republic, Elizeta Ramos, spoke in favor of the action. According to the prosecutor, structural racism is unquestionable and responsible for social injustice in the country. “Black people are poorer than white people, they have less education, they receive lower salaries, they are more rejected in the job market, they have less opportunity to reach the top of power and they occupy the majority of underemployments”, she stated.

The president of the National Human Rights Commission of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), Silvia Silva de Souza, also spoke in favor of the action. For Souza, the Brazilian State neglects the rights of the black population. Federal public defender Charlene da Silva Borges stated that there is a gap in the State in protecting black lives throughout history.

“Without the labor of enslaved people, our economy would not have been built. There is the dehumanization of black people who served this country, planted, harvested wealth, but received no return. This wealth was enjoyed by a privileged white elite” , said the defender.

During this afternoon’s session, the ministers heard the second group of lawyers from parties and entities involved in the case. Afterwards, the analysis of the case was suspended, and the trial date will be set at a later date. The new trial methodology began to be adopted during the presidency of Minister Luís Roberto Barroso, which began in September this year.