By Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The governors of the northeast of Brazil published a letter commenting on the conversations between members of the Judiciary and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, published by The Intercept Brasil and other media outlets, on the morning of Sunday, June 30th. They demand “the prompt and expeditious verification of all matters, with impartiality and transparency.”
Read the full letter:
“LETTER FROM THE GOVERNORS OF THE NORTHEAST
June 30th, 2019
MISUSE MUST BE INVESTIGATED
The ensuing revelations of conversations and informal agreements between members of the judiciary and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Curitiba, published by TheIntercept.com and other media outlets, are very serious. Abnormal conversations configure a flagrant disrespect for the laws as if the ends justified the means.
These are not minor mistakes; these are the lives of human beings and their histories that are altered in judgments outside constitutional, legal, and ethical rules. All know that a judge must be impartial and therefore cannot engage with a party to the detriment of the other party. We believe that defending the exact impartiality of judges is a matter of utmost concern even to them. We thus express our trust that the vast majority of magistrates and members of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office who, with integrity and respect for the law, genuinely fight corruption and other crimes, will be able to underpin the requisite investigations in this case.
Now, one of the excerpts from the conversations published points out Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol suggesting a search and seizure in the residence of today’s Senator for Bahia, Jaques Wagner. What about the justification of the Lava Jato coordinator? “A symbolic issue,” that is, trash the law. It is yet another extremely serious disclosure.
It is unacceptable for members of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office and the Judiciary to act unlawfully by pre-arranging a vital investigation to persecute and arrest people. In a recent speech at the Pan American Summit of Judges, Pope Francis demonstrated his concern over abusive acts and persecution employing lawsuits without a legitimate foundation.
We demand the prompt and expeditious verification of all matters, with impartiality and transparency. It is also necessary to assess the disengagement of those involved. We also advocate the review or annulment of all unlawful judgments. Also, we underline the importance of the National Congress’ vote on the Bill on Misuse of Power.
We strongly support the fight against corruption, but we believe that conducting legal proceedings in deliberate disregard for the law is also a form of corruption.
Governors of Northeast Brazil.”