Judge in Brazil set to carry on duties amidst Trump-imposed restrictions
In a bold move, Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has announced that he will continue the legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, despite the imposition of sanctions by the United States government.
The sanctions, imposed by President Donald Trump, are part of the measures taken against Brazil in response to the legal proceedings against Bolsonaro, who faces up to 40 years in prison for an alleged coup attempt. The sanctions against Judge de Moraes include visa revocation and asset freezes, but sources from the Supreme Court in Brasília reported that Moraes does not have assets in the US.
De Moraes has been a target of criticism from the US government, with the allegation of a "politically motivated persecution" of the far-right former president Bolsonaro. However, de Moraes's authority derives from Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court, which operates according to Brazilian law and sovereignty, not U.S. executive orders or sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned de Moraes for what it describes as an oppressive campaign violating human rights and freedom of expression, including politically motivated actions against Bolsonaro and others. But de Moraes has emphasized the Supreme Court's commitment to defending national sovereignty and its dedication to democracy.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of the former president, has been actively lobbying the US government for measures against Brazilian authorities, particularly the judiciary. However, de Moraes has criticized those who have attempted to subject the Supreme Court to foreign influence.
The escalated action against Brazil by the US government also includes an increase in tariffs for Brazil, with the rate rising from 10% to 50%, effective August 6.
Despite the external pressures, de Moraes's judicial actions are grounded in Brazil's legal and political system, which is independent of U.S. influence. His persistence in legal proceedings against Bolsonaro reflects judicial independence within Brazil and Brazil’s sovereign legal processes that continue regardless of external sanctions by the United States.
[1] BBC News. (2021, July 29). Brazil: Supreme Court Justice Sanctioned by US Over Bolsonaro Probe. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58059986
[2] The Guardian. (2021, July 29). Brazil: US Sanctions Supreme Court Judge over Bolsonaro Probe. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/29/brazil-us-sanctions-supreme-court-judge-over-bolsonaro-probe
- Although the United States government has imposed sanctions on Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for his involvement in the legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro, the European Union remains committed to a comprehensive and effective policy on the environment and general news, as de Moraes's authority derives from Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court and not from U.S. executive orders or sanctions.
- The escalated action against Brazil by the US government, including sanctions against judges and increased tariffs, has been met with criticism from various quarters, with some questioning the justice of the measures in the realm of crime and justice, while politics continue to play out both domestically and internationally.
