Brazil

Standoff as migrant caravan closes Brazil-Peru International Bridge

by
Share this
Share

SAO PAULO – A humanitarian crisis is escalating in the far west Brazilian state of Acre as about 300 Haitians, Indians, Pakistanis have taken over the Friendship Bridge connecting Assis, Brazil with Peru at the Brazil-Peru-Bolivia border. Peruvian authorities are refusing entry and the immigrants are demanding to be allowed to return home through the Andean country.

The area has been a popular entry point for immigrants from many parts of the world seeking asylum in Brazil. Having failed in their quest to obtain legal papers but unable to be deported due to Brazilian laws and international treaties that prevent deportation into potential harm’s way, the immigrants have been staying in empty schools in the area, but hygienic and toilet facilities are not sufficient and the municipality of 7500 is stressing its resources providing food baskets and help for the immigrants. Described as hungry and exhausted, the immigrants say they want to return home by way of Peru but are suspected of really wanting to make their way to the United States. Brazilian authorities say they have been in the area for months, under precarious conditions, sleeping in open barracks, living off state help and charity, and bathing in the Acre River.

By Milan Sime Martinić

Brazil, top instant coffee exporter, keeps title despite drop in sales to Saudi Arabia

by
Share this
Share

A global increase of 2.4% in Brazilian instant coffee exports in 2020 occurred alongside a 39% drop in exports to the Arab bloc, with Saudi Arabia accounting for 33% of the decrease, according to numbers made public by ABICS, the Brazilian Instant Coffee Industry Association.

Despite the Arab purchase drops, Brazil remains the top producer and exporter of instant coffee. Global instant coffee consumption climbs at a rate of around 3% per year. Addressing the decrease in Arab purchases, ABICS Director Aguinaldo Lima noted 2019 was already a record year for Brazil and that imports fluctuate from year to year. Saudi Arabia has been a longtime top importer of Brazilian instant coffee, said Lima, pointing out that it contributed to the 2019 record exports.

By Milan Sime Martinić

Brazilian Supreme Court rules there is no right to be forgotten in media

by
Share this
Share

SAO PAULO – Despite a 2018 decision that allows the right to de-indexation of certain information from search engines, a majority of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) has voted that there is no right to prevent media from disclosing truthful old information obtained legally, citing the Freedom of Expression Clause of the Brazilian Constitution and noting that such right does not degrade over time. The ruling sets precedent to guide jurisprudence over similar cases that come before the courts.

By Milan Sime Martinić

Facebook limiting political content in news feeds

by
Share this
Share

The move, which will first affect Brazil, Canada and Indonesia before being tried out in the US in a few weeks, is part of a company goal to “lower the temperature and discourage divisive conversations” globally, and was announced by Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg at a January conference. The change will initially impact only a small percentage of users as the company explores different ways of classifying political content and finding a balance for the types of things that people want to see.

By Milan Sime Martinic

Brazilian MPs might change public sector work terms

by
Share this
Share

The Mixed Parliamentary Front in Defence of Public Service is filing an injunction against Constitutional Amendment 32/20, which alters the rules of public sector work.

According to Minister of Economic Affairs Paulo Guedes, the reform will save the government R$300 billion in ten years. However, the Mixed Front’s president, MP Israel Batista (Green Party), has stated that such claims lack any technical basis and demanded that the government present corroborating data before the project is discussed in Parliament.

Under the current system, public sector workers must be selected via tender and enjoy the right to stability, only able to be fired via lawsuit. The text creates multiple modalities of public work, establishing posts open to regular selection and whose holders can be fired. The Reform was sent to the Justice and Constitution Commission on 9 Feb for analysis.

By Fernando de Oliveira Lúcio

Brazil: Nationwide Strikes Crippling Nation

by
Share this
Share

Protest over President Michel Temer’s austerity measures are crippling public transport in several major cities, and many factories, businesses and schools are closed, including in major tourist areas.

Police have barricaded protesters from entering airports (some flights were delayed and cancelled earlier) and are trying to clear up roadways.

Brazil has not had a nationwide strike in over 20 years. The current protests are not yet at the ‘nationwide strike’ level, but threaten to get there, according to union leaders.

Temer assumed power after former President Dilma Rousseff was ousted. Temer was then vice president.

The cause of the protests: Brazil’s lower house passed a labor reform bill many see as undermining workers’ rights by eliminating payment for their commute from their contractors, reducing compensation for employer abuse, and allowing reduction of salaries and increasing hours.