URGENT: United States Chamber activates OAS over Alexandre de Moraes’ decisions

Photo: BRENO ESAKI/METRÓPOLES @BrenoEsakiFoto

President of a US House subcommittee says he has received reports of “human rights violations” related to Moraes’ decisions

The United States Chamber sent the Organization of American States (OAS) a request for information about allegations of “censorship”, “abuses of authority” and “mass violations of freedom of expression” in Brazil. The document, signed by the president of the Global Subcommittee on Human Rights of the US House of Representatives, Republican deputy Cris Smith, refers to the decisions of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the STF, to block profiles on social networks and communication channels on the web maintained by those accused of involvement in the events of January 8th and others that preceded the depredations.

Smith claims to have received, in the American Congress subcommittee, “serious allegations” of human rights violations in Brazil. The letter was sent to the president of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Roberta Clarke, and to the entity’s special rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, Pedro José Vaca Villarreal.

“In view of the mandate of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and particularly of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, to promote respect for human rights and freedom of expression, including to monitor and collect relevant reports, information on developments in Brazil, I respectfully ask that you share any information you have about these human rights violations”, requested the congressman.

Smith also questioned the OAS committee about “steps and measures” that have been adopted by the entity regarding the situation in Brazil and how the US Congress could act on the issue.

In April, the Judiciary Committee of the US House of Representatives released a report in which it accused the governments of Brazil and the United States of seeking to silence critics on social media. The text was published after a series of criticisms from billionaire Elon Musk, owner of X, against Moraes’ determinations.

In his confidential decisions, Alexandre de Moraes usually justifies that measures such as suspending the accounts of those being investigated are necessary to maintain the Democratic Rule of Law.