The Vladimir Herzog Institute has officially become an amicus curiae in a significant case before Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF), concerning whether the Amnesty Law can be applied to the circumstances surrounding the disappearance and murder of Rubens Paiva, a former congressman who was a victim during the military dictatorship. This involvement allows the Institute to present information and arguments to aid the court in reaching a decision. The court's deliberation is under the jurisdiction of Justice Alexandre de Moraes and addresses whether severe and ongoing human rights violations from that oppressive period can be exempt from amnesty provisions.

The case has garnered widespread recognition due to its implications for justice and accountability related to human rights abuses in Brazil's past. The Herzog Institute plans to argue that heinous crimes, such as forced disappearance, should not be eligible for amnesty. In doing so, they aim not only to provide a legal perspective but also to acknowledge the historical responsibilities of the Brazilian state in relation to the victims of the military regime.

The outcome of this case is poised to have far-reaching consequences for similar cases in the STF and beyond, as it could potentially set a precedent in addressing past human rights violations in Brazil. The acknowledgment of these crimes is crucial for healing the wounds of history and fulfilling the state's obligations to its citizens regarding justice and truth, particularly in cases like that of Rubens Paiva, which exemplifies the ongoing struggle for recognition of victims of state violence during the dictatorship.