Tag Archives | Ficha Limpa

What’s gone wrong in Brazil?

26 June 2013 in Accountability, Americas

The continuing protests in Brazil are a symptom of a lack of political accountability. Politicians may be beginning to hear what needs to be done but there’s a long way to go. Josmar Verillo, vice-president of Amarribo Brasil explains why. Ribeirão Bonito, Brazil, 23 June 2013 – People power may be beginning to have results […]

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Is Brazil taking a “U-turn”?

8 May 2013 in Politics and government

In Brazil, some members of the legislature are actively lobbying for a constitutional amendment that would make certain rulings by the Supreme Court subject to congressional approval. Not surprisingly, the current proposal by the Commission on the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship was put forward by members of the Workers’ Party, the main political group affected […]

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Shame on you: citizens move to keep Brazil clean-up on course

22 February 2013 in Americas, People power, Politics and government

When the Supreme Court in Brazil convicted and sentenced senior politicians for having their hand in the cookie jar – a case universally known as the Mensalão – diverting public resources for their own benefit, we had a notion that now Brazil had functioning institutions. The courts were for almost the first time seen as […]

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Stop misuse of presidential pardons

6 February 2013 in Anti-corruption movement, Politics and government

This article has also appeared in the Korean Times and is authored by Kim Geo-sung, Chair of Transparency International, Korea. In many countries around the world, leaders have the right to pardon individuals. In some hands this is a responsible tool used to right a miscarriage of justice. But it can also be a political act that […]

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A watershed in Brazil

19 November 2012 in Americas, Politics and government

**UPDATE** After a wait of just over one month, Brazilians found out last week that their judicial system is serious about sending a message that those in power can be held to account. On November 13 the Supreme Court in Brazil sentenced one of the leading politicians in the country, José Dirceu former chief of […]

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On a Plane to Brazil

15 May 2012 in Americas, Human rights, Poverty and development

A few weeks ago I traveled to Brazil. Early Sunday morning I got on a plane from Amsterdam to São Paulo. My seat was in row 62, the last one just next to the toilets. This is not a fun experience when you have to fly for more than ten hours. As I sat down […]

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Aiming for a clean record in Brazil

22 June 2010 in Americas, Politics and government

The passage of the Ficha Limpa (‘Clean Record’) bill is a milestone in Brazilian’s fight against corruption. Yet, its importance goes beyond the direct benefits which it will bring – hopefully, in the short term – to the Brazilian political system. The process of mobilising civil society that led to the drafting of the bill, […]

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