The current crisis in Lebanon last August, its political, social complications and, most importantly, the thousands of lives lost was the subject of this first stage of the last day of the First Latin American Forum on Human Security for Human Rights and XII International Congress on Human Rights. Also a social evil that still insists on remaining in the Brazilian culture, racism, was debated and widely fought.
The First Thematic Session was chaired by Patrícia Medina, PhD professor and researcher of the Masters in Jurisdictional Delivery and Human Rights at the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT) and the School of Judges of Tocantins (ESMAT), Brazil; the Second, by Mr. Pedro Nelson de Miranda Coutinho, Judge of the Justice Court of the State of Tocantins, Brazil and entry of the Masters in Jurisdictional Delivery and Human Rights. This morning, the event was coordinated by Gustavo Paschoal, PhD professor and coordinator of the Masters in Jurisdictional Provision and Human Rights.
In the first lecture of the day, Mrs. Maria Cotinha Bezerra, General Attorney of the State of Tocantins, an effective member of the State Prosecution of the State of Tocantins, Brazil, explained the historical context of racial prejudice in Brazil and its social consequences, and presented solutions for the direct combat of this social crime. Speaking of her life experiences, the prosecutor recalled that one of the mechanisms to combat racism is the fight for spaces, professional training, and the empowerment of young black Brazilians. "My function is to seek the balance of equality. I consider myself privileged as a person, because I have created a decision-making position. I feel I have the obligation, not only as a member of the State Prosecution, but also as a person, to give my best, to participate actively. From the moment I am here as a black woman, coming from adverse classes, I can show that I am capable, despite being part of a minority; but I still represent a minority capable of making a difference," she said.
The second part was based on an international drama that occurred in an incredibly surreal way, filmed from various angles, which caused dozens of deaths, thousands of injured and intensified global conflicts. In his speech, Hicham Hamdam, ambassador of Lebanon, pointed out that the accident on August 4th was not a mere incident. "The civilian citizens did not know what was happening at the port. The place and its surroundings were transformed into a space of war. We need the world population to consider that the Lebanese people want justice. We are calling all countries to obtain justice for the Lebanese people. What happened in Lebanon can happen anywhere, and will be remembered by future generations," he emphasized.
Following this approach, the second lecture of the morning was given, " Human Rights Values in the Post-Pandemic-Covid-19 Scenario: Challenges and Opposities ", given by Merhi Rima, PhD in Global Media and Communication, from the University of London; professor of Media and Communication at the University of Lebanon; Human Rights Consultant, at Harvard University. She emphasized that the impacts of the event have not been and are not being recorded by the media in the way that they need to be, and stressed "Lebanon's stranglehold is an economic war. We must continue, we must fight for rights. Bring justice to the dead and rescue the country".
