The governments have built more and more walls and a large part of the population lives in fear and distrust of other peoples, the journalist says in an interview with 247
Journalist Jamil Chad
By Ana Maria Oliveira, specially for Brazil 247 Compared to other countries, Brazil gained a high reputation for its initiatives in dialogue with the outside world. International relations, on the other hand, are in a deep crisis with unexpected repercussions. In addition to the war between Russia and Ukraine, democracy in Europe and other continents has suffered setbacks in recent years. Governments have built more walls and a large part of the population lives in fear and distrust of different peoples.
This is the assessment of the international correspondent Jamil Chade, who took part in the literary festival in the city of Araxá (FliAraxá) in Minas Gerais from July 59. Jamil has over 30 years of international experience and lives in Brussels, Switzerland. He has published seven books. One of its outstanding qualities is to create a fruitful “bridge” between events in Brazil and abroad. He is a columnist for Brazilian vehicles and knows the reality of international organizations like no other.
The festival, to which national and international speakers were invited, brought together students and teachers from schools in Araxá, residents interested in literature and tourists. The theme of this 11th edition was Education, Literature and Heritage.
positive image
From January to date, Brazil has received a very positive assessment from the international community. “President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is seen as a courageous leader and shows a willingness to change reality,” confirms Jamil.
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According to him, however, there is one point on which European leaders disagree with the Brazilian government: it is unacceptable for the country not to support Ukraine in the war against Russia. “There is a certain disillusionment with Brazil at a time when the debate in Europe is very polarized,” says Jamil. He also recalls that in several African countries Lula is considered “a hero” for “putting the problems of social injustice and hunger at the center of the global debate”.
“Brazil also gave a lesson in resistance and an example of the proper functioning of its democratic institutions in the fight against the attempted coup of January 8.” Fears of the country’s collapse ran high. The resistance of the institutions brought great relief abroad,” stresses Jamil.
The Brazilian government’s proposal for a comprehensive reform of the international organizations received a lot of attention and is not empty talk, as some sectors, both in Brazil and in other countries, are trying to claim. “There are other governments that also want change, like India, Germany and Japan. “The problem is not the reform, but the lack of agreement on what this reform should look like.”
According to Jamil, there are several dead ends. “China supports change as long as Japan does not join the Security Council. Russia does not want any European country involved.” But as long as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues, there should be no room for such negotiations.
Even without the desired changes, international organizations play an important role. “The world would be worse off without them. Today, 77 million people are surviving on food distributed by international organizations. Moreover Jamil stresses the IOs are signs of the limits set by international law. Another example of its importance was the actions taken by the World Health Organization (WHO) during the pandemic. It also works yearround against endemic malaria and other diseases as it adopts a combat strategy.”
walls and barriers
World society exists with great contradictions. While most people believe in the existence of a “one world” that is interconnected In total, more walls have been built in the last 20 years than one can believe. Citing recent studies, Jamil recalls: “There are 26,000 kilometers of walls on different continents. The connection therefore does not apply to everyone, just as little as the mobility of coming and going.”
With the expansion of the walls, democracy suffers heavy losses. “The wall is the physical institutionalization of intolerance towards certain peoples and ethnic groups. It increases the feeling of intolerance. There is only one security pressure. Part of the population is afraid and refuses to live with being different,” warns Jamil Chad.
The state of the world’s democracies is also not promising. According to Jamil, a recent map produced by Stockholm University in Sweden showed that 72% of the world’s population lives in countries with autocratic regimes. Only 13% are governed by full democracies. The map also showed that the existence of democratic regimes in the world has dropped to 1986 levels.
This picture does not represent the situation in European countries. Jamil cites the example of Hungary, which is ruled by farright Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. “In the last elections, the opposition was united around a single candidate and still failed to come to power. The parties are aware that they must work hard to reverse the situation. In Hungary, among other things, there is press censorship and control of the judiciary.
The power of cards
Letters have always been a unique form of text and can have a profound impact on those who read and write them. This influence can be either acceptance of the ideas presented or rejection of them. Either way, they leave no one unpunished.
With this in mind, Jamil Chade began writing public letters to the Brazilian authorities and society in general. “I have more freedom in writing than in reporting. I’m the one signing them. I can share my fears and joys,” he comments.
Desiring to take an active part in the events in Brazil and to try to influence the direction of public opinion, Jamil has sent signed messages to various authorities and personalities through the press and his own contacts. He has already written to President Lula, to Rep. Arthur Lira, President of the Chamber of Deputies, and to society in general. He points out the advantages: “We register what happens. And the next generations will tell about it.”
In the letter to President Lula, Jamil suggested that the President should address more in his speeches about the challenges that life in a more democratic country may or may not pose. “He needs to speak about the state of democracy in Venezuela and El Salvador because this issue is fundamental and needs to be discussed further.”
In addition to sending the letters to the media, he also forwards them directly to the authorities, in personal contact, to their supervisors or directly by email. “I’m not partisan, but I’m always on the side of democracy and human rights, principles I will not abandon.” Concerned about the direction of the country and aiming to participate in national life, Jamil concludes: “I can’t just be a pro and separate my work from citizenship.”
Letter to the Intolerant: Your walls reflect only your fears
by Jamil Chad (UOL, 08/07/2023)
Ladies and gentlemen,
We have never been as connected as we are today. Talking to the love of your life who lives on the other side of the mountain has never been cheaper. Traveling has never been so easy and superficial at the same time.
But I am writing this letter with an observation: We have never built as many walls as in the last 20 years. At the end of World War II, there were seven walls along the country’s borders. At the end of the Cold War, in 1989, there were 15 walls. In 2019, there were 77 walls.
Since the year 2000, we have built more kilometers of walls than at any time in history. It was 26,000 km.[…]
In a time marked by uncertainties, doubts, wars, pandemics, disinformation and technological changes, the wall fulfills the myth of supposed stability […]
Walls reveal the mental state of a society. If they’re officially built against barbarians, immigrants, terrorists, drugs and guns, what I’ve noticed is that they’re built against fear, against fears and against the different.
The central object of the walls is not outside. It’s indoors. That’s where the shadow seems to be. On the one hand, they hide who is supposedly protected by their stones.
But the higher they climb, the more they reveal in these shadows the deepest fears of this society. The Wall is essentially a recognition of our vulnerabilities, inconsistencies and injustices.
There are many reasons to build a wall. There are walls to keep people out in search of freedom. Others don’t want the people of that place to know that there is freedom outside.
Among us, walls are still erected against certain groups in society, even when they form the majority. There are still walls against those who just seek a safe haven to survive or have the right to dream.
Whatever their goal, they are all based on the same glue: the institutional legitimation of difference. The shadow they cast is made of the same darkness: intolerance […]
It seems that the bigger, sturdier or more impenetrable the wall, the greater the courage of those who want to tear it down. We will not lack this courage.
democratic greetings
Photo credit: Drigo Diniz
Caption: Jamil Chade debates with writer Juliana Monteiro