Traditional event celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Constitution and 70th of the Declaration of Human Rights
Federal Supreme Court minister Luís Roberto Barroso | Photo: Bruno Todeschini
One of the most traditional events in this area, the 15th International Seminar on Fundamental Rights, occurred from Nov 19 – 21, in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Federal Constitution of Brazil. The activity, promoted by Law School’s Graduate Program in Law , is supported by the Conselho Nacional para o Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) – CNPq, the Brazilian Federal Agency for Evaluation and Support of Graduate-level Education (Capes) and the Center for European and German Studies (CDEA).
The opening session was delivered by the Federal Supreme Court minister Luís Roberto Barroso, with the lecture Direitos Humanos e Fundamentais e o papel do STF nos 30 anos da Constituição Federal de 1988 e nos 70 anos da Declaração dos Direitos Humanos da ONU (Human and Fundamental Rights and the role of Supreme Court on the 30th anniversary of the Federal Constitution of 1988 and 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of UN). In his lecture, Barroso presented an overview of the Brazilian society in view of the achievements that have resulted from the Constitution of 1988, and made mention of the heavy price paid by the society by virtue of the constitutional violations the nation was subject to, in the 20th century. He referred to the current problems the country is faced, such as the soaring unemployment. However, he also commended the improvements that have been made in fighting corruption and envisioned a good future.
PUCRS President Br. Evilázio Teixeira and minister Luís Roberto Barroso | Photo: Bruno Todeschini
“The moment we’re going through in Brazil right now is very unique for public and private ethics are in the limelight and the country is to be born again on new foundations. There’s a number of factors that make believe in that. It’s not fantasy. I think we got many reasons to have a positive and optimistic attitude to what’s going on”, said he. He commended the institutional stability of a Latin American country despite the impeachment of two presidents.
Barroso highlighted three positive aspects that have arisen from the Constitution: institutional stability; monetary stability – such as the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the overcoming of consecutive economic crises; and social inclusion – more than 30 million people rising out of acute poverty. The minister has a Law School degree from UERJ, where he now serves as a lecturer (Master of Laws) and completed his postdoctoral research at Yale Law School.
