Bolsonaro-Crimes Against Humanity?????

 

The Shades of Accountability

BRAZIL

A Brazilian Senate committee recommended President Jair Bolsonaro be charged with crimes against humanity and other charges over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Axios reported Wednesday.

The 11-member committee voted seven to four in favor of the charges, which included crimes against humanity, misuse of public funds and “charlatanism.” The report’s lead author, Senator Renan Calheiros, accused the far-right president of being “on the side” of dictators.

The vote follows the closure of a six-month investigation into Bolsonaro’s response to the pandemic: The populist leader has been accused of continuously underplaying the severity of the pandemic and has spoken out against lockdowns, masks and vaccinations.

The Senate report holds him responsible for many of Brazil’s more than 600,000 coronavirus-related deaths – the second-highest death toll after the United States worldwide.

The case is expected to go to Prosecutor-General Augusto Aras, who will determine whether to pursue the charges. Aras is a Bolsonaro appointee and is widely viewed as someone who will shield the president from prosecution.

Meanwhile, the charges of crimes against humanity will need to be pursued by the International Criminal Court, according to the Associated Press.