The American State Department stated that it follows with “serious concerns” judicial decisions and the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) that restrict freedom of expression. The positioning was given to the portal Metropolises this Wednesday (1st).
According to the ministry’s note, the White House monitors alleged actions by the Brazilian government to “suppress” critics and court orders that go against users’ right to express themselves on social media.
The demonstration comes after the release of a new report by the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives that accuses the Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Alexandre de Moraes of censorship. The document cites the magistrate’s orders for technology companies to remove publications and accounts from the platforms.
In the statement given to the portal, the State Department says that it has expressed concern about decisions by the Brazilian Justice, considered “broad and disproportionate”, which restrict access to information. Furthermore, it criticizes actions by the Lula government which, according to the ministry, “secretly suppress unfavorable political opinions — including those of journalists and elected officials — without due legal process.” What measures these would be were not mentioned.
The US State Department was contacted to provide more details on the matter.
