Government Controversy: Portuguese Government denies reparation process for crimes in former colonies

This is the first statement since the country's president, who is not linked to the government, expressed support for the idea of ​​repairing Brazil due to slavery, the massacre of indigenous people and the looting that occurred. This Saturday, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa suggested that canceling debts and making financing available represent forms of compensation.

Prime Minister of Portugal Luís Montenegro - Photo Reproduction/Pedro Nunes/Reuters

In recent years, debate has grown around the historical responsibilities of colonizing countries in relation to the damage caused during periods of colonial rule. In Portugal, this discussion has intensified, especially with regard to crimes committed during the period in which the country had colonies in Africa, Asia and America.

Recently, the Portuguese Government issued a statement stating that "there is no involvement in any process or program of specific actions" related to the reparation of former colonies. The note also emphasizes that "relations between the Portuguese people and the people of the States that were former colonies of Portugal are truly excellent, based on mutual respect and the sharing of common history." This information was published by the Portuguese newspaper Públicothis Saturday (27).

Historical Contextualization

Portugal was one of the main colonial empires of the modern era, with domains spread across different continents, including Africa, Asia and America. For centuries, the country exploited natural resources, forced local labor, and imposed oppressive political and social systems on its colonies. However, many of the methods used during colonial period were marked by human rights violations, including massacres, slavery, economic exploitation and racist practices. These events left deep scars on the societies of the former colonies, which still suffer the consequences of these injustices to this day.

The Current Debate

After the public recognition by the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, that the country was responsible for numerous crimes against slaves and indigenous people during the colonial period. For the first time in Portuguese presidential history, the president admitted Portugal's responsibility in relation slavery, indigenous genocide and colonial looting in Brazil. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, six million Africans were forcibly captured, transported across the Atlantic on Portuguese ships and sold into slavery, mainly in Brazil.

Rebelo de Sousa's statement, being the first to recognize the need for historical reparation, was met with opposition from parliamentarians in the center-right coalition that governs Portugal, with the leader of the far-right party, Chega, calling the act treason. It is important to note that in Portugal, the government and the presidency of the Republic are distinct institutions. The government is made up of parliamentarians and is led by a prime minister, while the president of the Republic is the head of state, responsible for appointing the prime minister based on parliament's nomination. Thus, the role of the president becomes predominantly symbolic, while in reality it is the prime minister who governs the country. Any reparation initiative only becomes effective when it is approved by Parliament.

This Saturday, Rebelo de Sousa revisited the subject, suggesting that canceling debts, offering financing to former colonies and facilitating the mobility of citizens in these countries are forms of compensation. He emphasized the importance of not ignoring these issues and stated that it is Portugal's duty to lead this repair process. However, he clarified that reparation is not limited to the payment of compensation, but rather is an ongoing commitment that has been ongoing for 50 years, through cooperation and construction of the present and future with the former colonies.

According to the president,The reparation process goes beyond simply paying compensation to affected countries. He points out that this journey began half a century ago, citing the Debt forgiveness for colonized nations as an example, along with initiatives such as lines of credit, financing and other programs aimed at former colonies. During more than four centuries of colonial rule, countries such as Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Benin, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, East Timor, and parts of India were under Portuguese control.

Investigation into Bank the Brazil

The discussion about reparation is not limited to Portugal. In Brazil, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) initiated an unprecedented public civil investigation to examine Banco do Brasil's participation in criminal activities related to slavery and trafficking of Africans in the 19th century. This initiative involves the work of 14 historians from 11 different universities, which highlight the institution's connection with the slave trade. The inquiry highlights, among other discoveries, the presence of some of the main slave traffickers of that time on the list of founders and shareholders of Banco do Brasil.