Brazil’s Secretary of Human Rights, Minister Nilmário Miranda, who will be one of the observers in Sunday’s elections in Palestine, said that Brazil is in favor of the constitution of a Palestinian state and the end of the war between Palestinians and Israelis.
“At this very important moment, Brazil is wholly committed. Totally in favor of peaceful solutions,” the Minister affirmed in an interview with the Agência Brasil.
Delegations from Brazil and other countries will monitor the elections, to prevent violence and guarantee the electoral process that will choose the successor of Yasser Arafat as president of the Palestine Authority.
Miranda also referred to the friendly relations between Brazil and the Palestinian population. In his opinion, support on behalf of the fight of the Palestinian population represents the Brazilian government’s official position.
“We haven’t given up on the hope that there will be a peaceful solution in which the two parties (Palestinians and Israelis) reach an agreement about the region, respecting everybody’s rights,” he said.
Following the death of Yasser Arafat, in November, 2004, the situation in Palestine grew tenser, and, three days away from the elections, the population is facing difficulties in circulating freely through the armed barriers surrounding the region between Ramallah, in Transjordan, and Jerusalem.
The foreign delegations are giving support to the Palestinian Electoral Commission in voter registration and information.
In addition, they will monitor the entire voting and vote-counting process to ensure that democracy is respected.
The Brazilian mission, made up of members of the Executive, Legislature, and the Federal Elections Board, will arrive January 8 in Transjordan and then proceed to Ramallah, where they will accompany the elections together with a team of 260 international observers, headed by the European Union.
For Federal Deputy Carlos Abi Khalil, Brazil’s participation in this process adds weight to Brazil’s intention to enhance its role in the United Nations.
“This decision reaffirms Brazil’s position in the general context of the United Nations, taking into account our regional pro-activism in the entire Southern Hemisphere. As well as our ambition to play a more decisive role in international arenas,” Khalil stated in an interview with France International Radio.
Translation: David Silberstein
Agência Brasil