O Government of Portugal stated that it does not have any “process or program of specific actions” related to reparations for former colonies. The information was published by Portuguese newspaper Público this Saturday (27).
The statement is the first since the president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, defended that the country assumes “full responsibility” for colonial crimes and pays the costs of these acts.
Read more: Portugal recognizes guilt for slavery and Anielle Franco reacts: “declaration needs to be followed by concrete actions”
On Tuesday, Rebelo de Sousa recognized that the country was responsible for crimes committed against slaves and indigenous people in Brazil during the period of colonialism.
In a statement, the government, however, states that “the relationships between the Portuguese people and all the people of the states that were former colonies of Portugal are truly excellent, based on mutual respect and the sharing of common history.”
This Saturday (27), Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa spoke about the subject again and said that canceling debts, offering financing to former colonies and facilitating the mobility of citizens of these countries are forms of compensation.
“We cannot put this under the carpet or in a drawer. We have the obligation to pilot, to lead this process. Otherwise what happened to other countries that, having been colonial powers, lost the capacity for dialogue and understanding with the former colonies and are being invited to leave, by hook or by crook, the countries where they still have some presence”, he pointed out.
In Portugal, The government and the presidency of the Republic are different institutions. The government is made up of parliamentarians and led by a prime minister. The President of the Republic is head of State and appoints the Prime Minister based on a nomination from parliament.
Repercussion in Brazil
The minister Sonia Guajajara (Indigenous Peoples) spoke out this Thursday (25) about the statements made by the President of Portugal.
“The recognition of responsibility and the willingness to promote reparation, and pay for damages, bring to the international public debate in an unprecedented way the urgent relevance of advancing an agenda for ethnic-racial equality”, he stated.
In the minister’s view, starting this debate is essential for the next generations to learn and study indigenous history and culture.
In a video broadcast to the press, the minister Anielle Franco (Racial Equality) said that the possibility of repairing Brazil is “the fruit of centuries of demands from the black population” and a “leap of debate and importance [do tema]”. Furthermore, he stated that Rebelo’s statement was “forceful” and “very important”.
“This declaration needs to be followed by concrete actions as the president himself seems to be committing to do”, he emphasized.
Read also: Mendonça extends the deadline for negotiating Lava Jato agreements by another 60 days
Tags: Government Portugal denies reparation plans crimes colonies
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