The Ministry of Justice and Public Security ordered the removal of handcuffs from Brazilians who were deported from the United States and who were on board a North American aircraft that landed in Manaus on Friday night (24).
“This Saturday morning (25), the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, informed the President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, about an attempt by United States authorities to keep Brazilian citizens in handcuffs during the deportation flight to Brazil”, informed the Ministry of Justice.
In a note, he added that the ministry was made aware of the Brazilians’ situation by the director general of the Federal Police (PF), Andrei Passos Rodrigues. The flight, which was destined for Confins International Airport, in Belo Horizonte, had to make an emergency landing in Manaus due to technical problems.
Handcuffs removed
“On Lewandowski’s instructions, the Federal Police welcomed the Brazilians and ordered authorities and representatives of the North American government to immediately remove the handcuffs,” the statement reinforced. “The minister highlighted to the president the flagrant disrespect for the fundamental rights of Brazilian citizens”, adds the note.
He emphasizes that, upon becoming aware of the situation, Lula ordered that a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aircraft be mobilized to transport the Brazilians to their final destination, “in order to ensure that they can complete the journey with dignity and safety.”
“The Ministry of Justice and Public Security emphasizes that the dignity of the human person is a basic principle of the Federal Constitution and one of the pillars of the Democratic Rule of Law, configuring non-negotiable values”, concluded the ministry in the statement.
Also in a statement, the Federal Police confirmed that the 88 Brazilians who were on board the North American aircraft with other deportees from the United States arrived in Manaus in handcuffs.
“The Brazilians who arrived in handcuffs were received and immediately released from handcuffs by the Federal Police, guaranteeing Brazilian sovereignty in national territory and security protocols in our country. The Federal Police prohibited Brazilians from being detained again by American authorities.”
“Passengers were welcomed and accommodated in the restricted area of the airport. At the location, they received drinks, food, mattresses and bathrooms with showers were made available”, details the note.
As determined by the Presidency of the Republic, a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) aircraft will transport Brazilians to Confins Airport, in Belo Horizonte, this Saturday afternoon.
The Brazilians will be accompanied and protected by the FAB military and Brazilian federal police.
FAB
The FAB reported that a KC-30 aircraft was deployed, following a request from the federal government, to provide air support to deported passengers from the United States awaiting the completion of their transfer in Manaus.
The aircraft, according to the FAB, took off from Brasília Air Base at 1 pm, with a landing scheduled for 2:30 pm at Eduardo Gomes International Airport, in Manaus. “The time on the ground in Manaus will depend on different procedures to be carried out by the competent bodies”.
According to the statement, FAB will provide health professionals to monitor deported passengers – during the journey to their final destination, Confins International Airport, in Belo Horizonte.
Understand
Mass deportation operations against illegal immigrants began just days after US President Donald Trump took office. Last Thursday night (23), 538 people were detained and hundreds were deported in an operation announced by the White House.
“The Trump administration detained 538 criminal illegal immigrants,” spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt announced, adding that hundreds were deported on US Army planes. “The largest mass deportation operation in history is underway,” he said.
Throughout the presidential campaign, Trump promised to contain illegal immigration in the country, a scenario he classified as a “national emergency”. On his first day as President of the United States, the Republican signed executive orders designed to prevent immigrants from entering the United States.
*With information from RTP.
