The Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa recognized, last Tuesday (23), that the country was responsible for the crimes of slavery and genocide of indigenous peoples in Brazil during the period of colonialism. The head of state also suggested repairs.
“We have to pay the costs. Are there actions that were not punished and those responsible were not arrested? Are there assets that were looted and were not returned? Let’s see how we can repair this”, said the president in conversation with foreign correspondents.
Despite admitting guilt, the Portuguese government did not detail how reparations will be made. The declaration has a symbolic character because it is the first time that a country’s president has acknowledged guilt for slavery.
The speech calls into question the Eurocentric view that Portuguese colonialism in Angola, Mozambique, Brazil, Cape Verde It is East Timor would be a source of pride for the country.
“Apologizing is the easiest part,” he added.
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Anielle Franco’s reaction
The speech had repercussions among Brazilian activists and representatives who fight to combat social inequality and to structural racism driven by Portuguese dominance.
In a video broadcast to the press, the minister Anielle Franco (Racial Equality) said that the possibility of repairing Brazil is “the fruit of centuries of demands from the black population” and a “leap of debate and importance [do tema]”. Furthermore, he stated that Rebelo’s statement was “forceful” and “very important”.
“This declaration needs to be followed by concrete actions as the president himself seems to be committing to do”, he emphasized.
Finally, the representative stated that the Brazilian government is already in contact with the Portuguese government to discuss how to think about these actions.
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Tags: declaration concrete actions
