Lula Rejects Allegations of Human Rights Violations in Brazil as Accused by U.S.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Thursday dismissed claims of human rights violations in Brazil, following the release of excerpts from a U.S. government report that accuses the country of restricting political freedoms.

During the signing of a provisional measure to support sectors affected by Washington’s 50 percent tariff increase on Brazilian exports, Lula criticized the United States.

Nobody is disrespecting human rights norms, as they are trying to portray to the world. Our American friends, whenever they decide to pick a fight with someone, try to create a devil’s image of the people they want to confront, the former union leader said.

According to the president, criticizing the human rights situation in the South American giant was important in other times, but now we must analyze the accused country before addressing its institutions.

Regarding former president Jair Bolsonaro and his allies, who are under investigation for an alleged coup attempt, Lula reasoned that they are not being judged by the opposition. They are being judged based on the testimony of those who took part in the attempted coup.

He stressed that the trial against Bolsonaro and his supporters, with full rights to a defense, is democracy elevated to its fifth power, something I did not have when I was tried. And I did not complain, he noted.

Among the measures announced by the Lula administration in response to the tariffs are expanded access to credit lines and insurance terms, tax reimbursements, and increased government purchasing from sectors affected by the duties.

The main component of the plan is a credit line of approximately 5.56 billion dollars for companies, with priority given to those most affected and to smaller businesses.

Guarantee Funds can also be used to protect against risks such as noncompliance or contract termination.

Another element of the measure is the expansion of Reintegra, a federal program that refunds companies the taxes paid on goods destined for export.

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad clarified that the initiatives could be extended to sectors not currently targeted, but which could be included depending on new developments or measures taken by Washington.

As a provisional measure, the package takes effect immediately but requires approval from the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate within 120 days to remain in force.

U.S. President Donald Trump justified the so-called tariff hike as a response to alleged attacks by Brazil on freedom of expression and the treatment given to his ideological ally Bolsonaro, who is accused of attempting a coup.