Event at the Resistance Memorial, the site where political prisoners were held and tortured during the dictatorship. It was the stage of a debate attended by almost 100 activists and academics from around the world on October 18, 2012
More than 60 human rights defenders from 39 countries gathered at the Resistance Memorial, in São Paulo, to discuss issues related to “Transitional Justice” – in reference to the processes of transition from dictatorship to democracy. The debate was part of the 12th International Human Rights Colloquium, organized by Conectas and being held in São Paulo since Monday.
Two specialists on the subject – Paulo Vanucchi, former Brazilian Human Rights Minister under the Lula da Silva administration, and Gáston Chillier, of the Argentine organization CELS (Center for Legal and Social Studies), presented an overview of how Argentina and Brazil reached the stage of Transitional Justice.
…….Vanucchi defended punishing the military, while pointing out that punishment does not necessarily mean a prison sentence. Vannuchi ended with an expression borrowed from the Chilean President Michelle Bachelet: “Only washed wounds will heal”.
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
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