Brazil and the Inter-American Human Rights System: Facts to Understand the “Belo Monte” Crisis

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss the historic relationship of Brazil with the Inter-American Human Rights System (IAHRS) and, in particular, the impact of such history on the recent “legitimacy crisis” that culminated with the system’s reform in the early months of 2013. It is argued that the promotion and protection of human rights is a highly politicized issue that is becoming ever more central in the Brazilian public debate.