Brazil Officially Apologizes to Dilma Rousseff for Dictatorship-Era Persecution

Brazil's Amnesty Commission Grants Dilma Rousseff 100,000 Reais in Compensation Brazil's Amnesty Commission delivered a landmark decision on May 22, 2025, granting former President Dilma Rousseff political amnesty and 100,000 reais in compensation for persecution she suffered during the country's military dictatorship. This decision marks a significant reversal of a previous ruling made in 2022 under the Jair Bolsonaro administration, which denied Rousseff's claim. The Commission's decision was unanimous, reflecting a broad consensus among its members. The video report from Estadão highlights the key elements of the case, including the formal apology issued by the Brazilian state for the political persecution Rousseff endured. The report also briefly touches upon Rousseff's past involvement with the Comando de Libertação Nacional (Colina), a guerilla group active during the 1960s, and her subsequent imprisonment and torture. The compensation serves as a form of reparation for the injustices she faced. "The elements of the process demonstrate that Dilma was removed from her academic and professional activities due to political motivation," stated Rodrigo Lentz, the rapporteur for the case, as seen in the video. This statement underscores the Commission's acknowledgement of the political nature of the persecution Rousseff experienced. This decision not only provides financial compensation to Rousseff but also serves as a symbolic recognition of the injustices committed during the military dictatorship. It represents an important step towards reconciliation and accountability for past human rights violations in Brazil.