In the last hours, Rodríguez released the content of a public letter to President Lacalle Pou through which he denounces that for some time, especially since the beginning of the referendum process, he and his family have been suffering from the “permanent attack, the persecution” of Senator Da Silva and Senator Bianchi.
The union leader does not rule out initiating, after the referendum, the corresponding actions before the Attorney General’s Office “for insults and attacks”, since their parliamentary privileges do not allow them to “assault, misrepresent or try to intimidate through alleged secret investigations and unconstitutional to the representatives of civil society institutions”.
Rodríguez also handles the possibility of denouncing both white parliamentarians before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
The letter
“Open letter to the President of the Republic.
Mr. President:
On March 14, I had the opportunity to exchange with you, in the city of Minas, about the future of the state cement industry. In a fact that highlights the democratic quality of our nation, we express our positions defending different interests and visions.
The ANCAP Federation has always expressed the interests of workers intertwined with the defense of the role of the entity to promote social and productive development, beyond the successive governments with their different ideological conceptions.
I joined this cause a long time ago, assuming in recent years different responsibilities in leading the union, renouncing personal interests, taking time away from my affections and rest. Nobody forces me to be where I am, I do it with pride, dedication and commitment to the working class. I have no power of any kind, I am only a worker elected twice to represent the group to which I belong.
For some time now (especially since the beginning of the referendum process), my family and I have been suffering from the permanent attack, persecution and insults of a senator from his party towards me, to which was added after the exchange we had in Plaza Libertad de Minas, a senator from her political sector, a fact that increased the level of aggressiveness, malice, violence, lies and hatred towards me.
Given the virulence of the attack, he asked me how he applies his slogan ‘firm with ideas, soft with people’. These are opportunities to demonstrate that political postulates are framed in ethics and not in demagoguery. The inquisitorial practice must be eradicated from politics. The institutions have their scopes, mechanisms and procedures to evacuate doubts or make complaints, it is not legitimate to embed people with impunity in the ‘public square’ of social networks, much less do it from positions of power.
The strength of democracy lies essentially in tolerance and respect for those who think differently. It would be a bad sign for society and a discredit for the police if you endorse going out to ‘kill’ the adversary with any method. That damages institutions and democracy.
Not everything goes, Mr. President, as you say: ‘we can make mistakes, but we can’t lie and offend’. Therefore, considering that both senators are his party, and in particular the indicated senator is third in line for her succession, I strongly request that you take responsibility for putting a limit to such nonsense.
I am sincere, I have thought after March 28 to initiate the corresponding actions before the Attorney General’s Office motivated by the series of accusations, insults and aggressions that Senator Da Silva and Senator Bianchi have inflicted on me. The exercise of their legislative privileges (articles 113 and following of the Constitution) does not mean that they are allowed to attack, misrepresent or try to intimidate representatives of civil society institutions through supposedly secret and unconstitutional investigations.
You know that this series of events characterize the daily actions of the aforementioned senators, that is to say, not only with me, but also with various social actors, including journalists. That is why I have considered denouncing them before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
This call is for you to reaffirm your commitment to be the President of all, not of one half as you said at the time.
We take care of democracy among all of us. I plead for his intercession, and I also commit myself in that sense.
Gerard Rodriguez. President of FANCAP and member of the executive secretariat of the PIT-CNT».
