Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man and Woman?

Hi and welcome back to the Blog after the weekend's quiet time....or just welcome, if it's your first visit.  Whether an old friend of the Blog or a new one, I am grateful to you for looking in and I trust that you enjoyed a fun filled weekend.

Apologies for the absence of a post yesterday.  First day I have failed, but I was stranded away from web access due to circumstances beyond my control!

Having previously lambasted Brazil's politicians and flagged up major issues in relation to the judicial system and police services, I want to balance the equation a little and point out that there are, indeed, people to whom we can look in this country for honest, impartial, professional leadership in the courageous service they give to the Brazilian people.  An essential function of a liberal democracy is to afford its citizens effective policing and judicial process.  Those charged with delivering such crucial service, within the judiciary and the police services/forces, are often the targets for harsh criticism here and, I fear, such attacks are merited.

In this post, however, I want to briefly look at two dedicated public servants I have mentioned, en passant, in previous posts, each playing major parts in sustaining the rule of law.

Major Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo is 35 years old and, after 15 years in the Policia Militar, she has been dropped into what some regard as one of the most difficult jobs in Brazilian policing.  After various arrests and charges, sackings and sideways moves amongst the UPP (Favela Polic Pacification Units) in Rio de Janeiro, apparently resulting from investigations into serious allegations of wrong doing and illegality, Major Pricilla (as she is widely known) has been appointed Commanding Officer of the Rocinha UPP.  She, and the 700 officers that work under her are now responsible for policing the Rocinha favela/slum, home to around 100,000 people.  The UPPs were tasked with evicting the drugs gangs and restoring law and order to the sprawling favelas of Rio in a program that began five years ago and, while official crime numbers have gone down and violent drugs gangs have been expelled from their home turf, locals communities and human rights groups have accused the police of widespread serious misconduct and criminality.  Ten officers from the Rocinha UPP have just been charged in relation to the alleged torture and murder of Amarildo da Souza, a local resident who was arrested in early July and never seen again.  The task of upholding the rule of law on the deprived and dangerous streets of Rocinha would be a challenge in itself but, arguably, an even more daunting task for Major Pricilla will be winning the trust and respect of the local population and seeking to police by consent; as well as restoring confidence and pride amongst her officers.

''We have to show the community that life is better without the traffickers,'' she says.

This impressive military police officer led the 'pacification' of the Santa Marta favela and seems well matched to the huge task ahead of her now.  She also earned praise from all quarters when, having been the victim of a 'flash kidnapping' herself in 2007, at the hands of seven men who bound her, kicked and beat her, she managed to escape after several hours and despite needing hospital treatment returned to work the very next day to lead the hunt for her attackers.  A number of them were caught and convicted.  The Major says that residents from Santa Marta still call her to ask for advice or simply just to catch up, a relationship of which many forces around the world would be jealous but, when the calls come from some of the most disadvantaged and dangerous communities in Brazil, it is truly impressive.

In recognition of her personal bravery and the steadfast service she delivered to those for whom she was responsible, she was presented an International Woman of Courage award by the USA, taking the stage with Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton.

In a country that is led by a female President, whose Cabinet boasts over a quarter of its membership being female, and where one finds women on company boards or actually running companies in numbers that should embarrass the USA and others states, it is interesting to see Major Pricilla appointed to such a key post at such a demanding time; both in terms of the policing challenge and in relation to the political spotlight that will glare down on her and her officers.  Her record suggests she has a real chance of achieving success in Rocihna as she has done elsewhere.

Next, I want to look further along the legal process, turning to the courts, and focus on a mountain of a man who is something of a folk hero, here.  He is Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa.

Joaquim Barbosa became the first ever black Chief Justice, President of the Supreme Federal Tribunal (Brazil´s equivalent of the Supreme Court) in 2012.  From modest roots, as one of his bricklayer father´s eight children, he has risen to one of the highest public offices and earned the respect and admiration of a huge number of Brazilians.  In fact, it is reported that the most popular Carnaval mask for people to sport earlier this year was that of Chief Justice Barbosa; Carnaval masks being worn as a sign of respect and, more often than not, the most popular ones will be of soccer players not judges!

This impressive man, who took various jobs to pay his own way through university ended up with degrees from the University of Brasilia and the Sorbonne, in Paris.  He was appointed to the Supreme Federal Tribunal by President Lula da Silva in 2003 and thence to the position of President of the Tribunal by Pres Lula's successor in 2012....though he has shown himself anything but beholden to his political bosses from the Workers' Party and has championed an anti-corruption drive that included overseeing the trial of senior Party figures in a vote buying scandal.  He is not cowed by the political establishment but retains tight focus on the law and the constitution and, if someone falls foul of that, there is no favouritism.  It is the law, pure and simple, for the Chief Justice.  As a result, he is famous for shaking up the political and judicial establishments and has led the way in handing down a number of bold, liberalising judgements including:  upholding the University of Brasilia´s admissions policies designed to increase the number of black and indigenous students, setting one of the most sweeping affirmative action laws for higher education in the Western Hemisphere; effectively legalising same sex marriage in this country dominated by Roman Catholics and Evangelicals; championing various anti-bribery and corruption moves and delivering other socially advanced, civilising decisions.

Chief Justice/President of the Court Joaquim Barbosa has proved that he has his finger right on the pulse of the real people of Brazil. His energetic pursuit of an end to political corruption and his belief in and work towards a more equal/fair society have chimed exactly with the issues that a majority of protesters articulated in the events of June.  In a country where it is difficult to find anyone outside committed party members who is able to hold up a politician as a role model, an example of a man/woman of integrity who truly serves the people this legal virtuoso, a veritable gladiator in the arena of the court seems to fit the bill very well; hence, one assumes, his first place in the Carnaval mask stakes earlier this year, a true test of the opinion of us ordinary folk.

Indeed, some recent polls have suggested that if the election was to be held now, only the Chief justice could win in the first ballot.  That said, he has stressed, repeatedly, that he has no desire to stand and no intention of standing.  He has made it clear that he is in his right place with much work to be done.

For my part, I think it a positive sign if people are able to point to those in the highest echelons of public service and believe them to be role models, to be what they ought to be.  I am from the UK, so we are used to our share of political scandal, of self seeking politicians who thrive on and seem to live for power but, nevertheless, we can normally put aside party allegiances and identify a few who rise above the melee, above the brouhaha and demonstrate integrity, sincerity and service; service to the people without servility to the establishment and power brokers.  It surprised and disturbed me, therefore, to find that that was not the case here, beyond the almost sainted President Lula.  To find politics and the law constantly used in the same sentences as self serving, corrupt, disdainful and much worse reflected very badly on the Brazil of today.  Even if one struggles to find politicians of integrity and sincerity, at least you should be able to look to the police and judiciary to fill such slots....but not so here, I found.

It is reassuring, therefore, to find the likes of Major Pricilla and Chief Justice Joaquim Barbosa who appear dedicated to serving the community with integrity and impartiality and who seek to ensure that all people are equal under the law and equally subject to it....as well as deserving of its protection.  More power to their elbows.  They seem to be fine examples of what can be done in modern Brazil and of what public servants should be.

Enough for now.  Sorry again about missing yesterday!  Next post should be tomorrow morning, my time.

Thanks so much for dropping in and I trust you will return in the days ahead.

Until then, stay safe.

Dave