Anielle Franco, the sister of the late Marielle Franco, expressed that the unanimous decision by Brazil's Supreme Court to convict the masterminds behind her sister's murder marks significant progress in the fight against political violence and impunity.
On Wednesday, Anielle Franco, the Minister of Racial Equality and sister of Marielle Franco, spoke about the historic ruling by Brazil's Supreme Court (STF) that unanimously convicted Chiquinho Brazão and Domingos Brazão for orchestrating the murders of Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes, in March 2018. Franco emphasized that this verdict represents a substantial step forward in their long-standing campaign for justice that has spanned over eight years. While she noted that there is no sense of celebration, she acknowledged that the strong statements made during the ruling highlighted significant issues related to political violence, gender, and race.
Franco expressed a mix of feelings surrounding the verdict, stating that while it affirms the fight for justice, true justice would have meant Marielle being alive today. The ruling serves as a broader imperative for society, indicating that there should be no impunity for political crimes. She hopes that this decision sets a precedent and acts as an example to discourage future occurrences of violence against political figures.
Additionally, key remarks made by other ministers during the session, especially regarding issues of race and gender-based violence, were underscored as crucial. The implications of the ruling extend beyond just the case of Marielle Franco, shedding light on systemic problems within Brazilian society that continue to affect marginalized communities. This verdict not only addresses the specific crime of Marielle’s murder but also calls for a re-evaluation of how such cases are treated in Brazil's justice system and the necessity for accountability.
