Press Release

            In a follow-up letter to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights today, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Darrel Issa (R-CA) and Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) requested information on reported ongoing human rights violations in Brazil, including and especially the crackdown on free speech and illegitimate blockade of X.

            “We write to you in our capacity as members of the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the ongoing situation in Brazil and the actions taken by the Brazilian supreme court against the social media platform X, actions affecting millions of Brazilians as well as U.S. citizens who live or do business in Brazil and an American company,” the lawmakers wrote.

            “In a previous letter dated May 3, 2024, Rep. Smith requested from the Commission information in its power concerning the human rights being reported to the members of the Subcommittee then,” the lawmakers said. “The letter additionally requested information on the steps or measures taken by the Commission or the Special Rapporteur to address the ongoing situation. We regret that this letter went unanswered.”

            “Since then, the situation in Brazil has gotten considerably worse, as evidenced first and foremost by the illegitimate blockade of the X platform in the country, with Mr. de Moraes's declaring his intent to curtail political speech protected under international human rights law. While X services are now restored, this has only happened after the elections are over, and with X having been strongarmed into compliance. This is all unacceptable,” the lawmakers continued.

            The lawmakers, who noted that the United States provides supplemental funds annually to the Inter-American Commission in support of its mandate, requested that the Commission and its Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression inform them of “what steps have been taken to monitor and address the situation to help end this egregious conduct.”

            “As members of the House of Representatives, it is our duty to exercise oversight over the expenditure of taxpayer-assessed funds, including those that are disbursed to the Commission and the Office of the Special Rapporteur. We remain attentive to your answers, as they will inform our future actions and approach to budgetary requests for this purpose,” the lawmakers concluded.

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