Advertisement

Brazil apologizes to political prisoners

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 7 (UPI) -- The Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro issued an official apology to some 120 former political prisoners of the military dictatorship from 1964 to 1985.

The "reparation ceremony," held Monday in a Rio gymnasium that used to hold prisoners, is the latest in a series of public acknowledgements of abuses during the 21-year military rule.

Advertisement

CNN reported Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff swore in a truth commission earlier this month, which will be given two years to investigate torture, killings and disappearances between 1946 and 1988.

The commission's creation has been criticized by international human rights organizations due to its lack of prosecutorial powers, CNN reported. A 1979 amnesty law also prevents the government from prosecuting those responsible and despite calls to revoke the law, officials have showed no plans to do so.

Brazil has admitted its role in the events of the dictatorship in a law passed in 2001, which acknowledged those held or tortured in state facilities. Since then, the government has issued 650 people nearly $10,000 each in reparations.

Latest Headlines