Brazil’s Military High Court Chief Rebukes Colleague Over ‘Misogynistic’ Criticism of Dictatorship Apology

Overview

• At the opening of Tuesday’s session, STM president Maria Elizabeth Rocha condemned Carlos Augusto Amaral Oliveira’s remarks as a misogynistic personal attack tied to her apology for dictatorship-era judicial failings.
• Rocha said the rebuke, which included a suggestion that she should “study a little more” history, disrespected women in the judiciary and sought to delegitimize her authority.
• She clarified that the forgiveness she voiced at an ecumenical act honoring Vladimir Herzog on October 25 was a personal gesture made in her capacity as STM president, not a statement for all ministers.
• Amaral Oliveira, a Tenente-Brigadeiro da Aeronáutica, denied misogyny, called for a closed-door meeting of the court to address the dispute, and argued her remarks projected the tribunal negatively.
• The clash highlights internal divisions in the largely military court, where Rocha, its first female president with nearly two decades on the bench, has taken steps to confront the dictatorship’s legacy.