Manoel Leal de Oliveira

Mr. Luiz Inâcio Lula da Silva President of Brazil Planalto Palace Brasilia Mr. President, Following an investigation by the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) and at the urging of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for the first time the government of a Brazilian state has acknowledged responsibility in the death of a journalist, in this case that of Manoel Leal de Oliveira, murdered in Itabuna, Bahia on January 14, 1998. It remains for the state legislature to approve restitution to the family and that the courts reopen the case so as to bring the guilty to justice. The IAPA is determined to put an end to the impunity that those responsible for the crime enjoy, a task in which we have the support of the members of the international community that are signing this letter. That is why we take the liberty of calling your attention, asking for your intervention so that the justice system may reopen the case and not cease until all those who committed the crime and those behind it are arrested and duly punished. Sincerely,