Brazil Slaps Down UN Human Rights Committee Request on Lula

Committee asks Brazil to ensure Lula political rights in jail
Under Brazilian law, Lula’s conviction bars him from elections

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks in Sao Paulo on Feb. 22, 2018. — Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks in Sao Paulo on Feb. 22, 2018.
Photographer: Patricia Monteiro/Patricia Monteiro/Bloomberg

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Bruce Douglas and Samy Adghirni

August 17, 2018 at 7:31 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has asked Brazil to guarantee the political rights of jailed former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, prompting a swift response by Brazil’s foreign ministry pointing out the recommendation had no legal significance.

In a statement posted on its website on Friday, the UN Human Rights Committee said it has "requested Brazil to take all necessary measures to ensure that Lula can enjoy and exercise his political rights while in prison, as candidate in the 2018 presidential elections." After losing an appeal against his conviction for corruption and money-laundering, Lula is serving a 12-year prison sentence. Under Brazilian law, he is ineligible to run for election.