Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes defended Brazil’s sovereignty and judicial independence following U.S. criticism of his rulings on digital platforms. His comments emphasize Brazil’s status as a democratic nation since 1822. The remarks coincide with U.S. legislative actions aimed at restricting his access to the U.S. in response to his rulings against a controversial video platform, Rumble.
On Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes defended Brazil’s sovereignty following U.S. critiques accusing him of censorship regarding digital platform rulings. He asserted Brazil’s judicial independence in a plenary session, emphasizing that Brazil is not a colony and that it is strengthening its republic under the 1988 Constitution. His remarks resonate with Brazil’s identity as a sovereign nation since its independence in 1822, reaffirming a commitment to democracy and human rights within the context of the United Nations’ global framework.
Moraes’s comments follow a controversial U.S. House Judiciary Committee approval of a bill potentially restricting his entry to the U.S., pending a full House vote. Concurrently, the U.S. State Department criticized Moraes’s decisions against Rumble, noting that penalizing companies for avoiding censorship is contrary to democratic principles. The conflict stemmed from Moraes’s order to block Rumble, which refused to comply with Brazilian laws regarding local representation.
In a recent lecture, Moraes criticized major tech companies for their perceived biases, stating, “Big Techs are not God-sent, as some would have us believe. They are not neutral.” Other Brazilian Supreme Court members, including Chief Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, underscored the importance of institutional integrity in the face of coup attempts and domestic turmoil. Barroso reiterated that the Court is committed to safeguarding democracy and upholding constitutional values.
Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino expressed solidarity with Moraes, highlighting the constitutional duties justices undertake to maintain non-intervention and equality among states. Additionally, Justice Gilmar Mendes spoke on social media in defense of Moraes’s approach to maintaining Brazil’s constitutional order. The Brazilian Association of Federal Judges also advocated strengthening judicial independence and national sovereignty as they navigate these tensions with the U.S.
Justice Moraes’s statements reflect a strong defense of Brazil’s sovereignty amidst U.S. criticism. The Brazilian Supreme Court remains committed to its constitutional role, underscoring the importance of independence and democratic values. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between legislative actions in the U.S. and Brazil’s judicial governance.
Original Source: valorinternational.globo.com
