Brazilian Families Seek Justice as Death Certificates Acknowledge Dictatorship Victims

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Tessa Moura Lacerda, a philosophy professor at the University of São Paulo, recently achieved a long-awaited milestone in her family's struggle for recognition. After years of advocacy, she and her mother successfully obtained an amended death certificate for Tessa's father, Gildo Macedo Lacerda, who perished under torture during Brazil's military dictatorship in 1973. The newly issued document acknowledges that Gildo’s death was an "unnatural, violent death caused by the State."

Gildo and Tessa's mother, Mariluce, were detained for their activism against the dictatorship, with Gildo disappearing shortly after their arrest. The government at the time propagated false narratives about political dissidents, including Gildo's death, and many victims remain unaccounted for in mass graves. The lack of official acknowledgment of their fates has deeply impacted the families, including Tessa, who grew up with uncertainty around her father's fate and struggled with generational trauma.

In December 2023, Brazil announced a commitment to rectify death certificates for all recognized victims of the regime, formally recognizing the state’s role in these tragedies. This development comes amid renewed public discourse about the dictatorship, fueled by the release of "I'm Still Here," a film that explores similar themes of loss and recognition.

While Tessa and other families view this as a critical step towards justice, many acknowledge that the fight is far from over. A longstanding amnesty law continues to shield military officials from prosecution for atrocities committed during the dictatorship. As discussions about Brazil’s past intensify, Tessa vows to continue advocating for her father and all victims, asserting that collective memory and acknowledgment are essential to prevent history from repeating itself.

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