Rare Brazilian ballot boxes both praised and criticized

Brazil uses electronic ballot boxes and technological solutions to identify voters in political elections. But this technology has been both praised and criticized. Pictured: Brazil's newly elected president - the left-wing leader Lula da Silva. Photo: Alexander Bonilla. Source: Flickr.

Of: Fredrik Govenius

Brazil is one of the few countries in the world that uses electronic ballot boxes and technology to identify the voter. The electoral authority in the country considers the system to be secure, while critics say it is vulnerable to hackers and that the lack of physical evidence of votes is problematic.

November 1, 2022, Development magazine explains

Thousands of Brazilian indigenous peoples protest against Bolsonaro's "death combination"

Bolsonaro's bill, which would, among other things, open up protected land for commercial mining, is called a "death combination" by indigenous activists in the country. Photo: Palácio do Planalto. Source: Flickr.

Of: Sigrid Wernersson

Thousands of indigenous peoples have gathered in Brasilia to protest against several bills, including the so-called 'death combination' - which would open up indigenous peoples' land for commercial mining. At the same time, the president means Jair Bolsonaro that increased mining in the territories of indigenous peoples is necessary for the country's prosperity and development since Russia stopped its exports of fertilizers.

May 6, 2022, News

Destruction in Brazilian Petrópolis after heavy rainfall

Petrópolis In Brazil last week was hit by heavy rainfall. More than 100 people have died and the city has been left in ruins. Photo: Tânia Rêgo / Agência Brasil. Source: Wikimedia.

Of: Villemo Warnefjord

Hundreds of people are missing and 120 people have died after a landslide and heavy rainfall in the Brazilian city of Petrópolis. Climate change is a contributing factor to extreme weather.

February 21, 2022, Notis

The exploitation of the Amazon continues - the financial industry can reverse the trend

If the Amazon reaches a tipping point, it would have major consequences for the planet. Photo: Ejaugsburg

Of: Linnea Ljungar and Myra Pernvall

The financial sector has a key role to play in the fight for a sustainable world. Green investments can be crucial in the fight for Amazon's survival when Brazil's government actively opposes sustainable environmental reforms in the country.
- The democratic conversation no longer works, says Beatrice Crona, associate professor of environmental research.

March 31, 2021, Report

The Amazon must not be destroyed in the shadow of the pandemic

Out with Bolsonaro, it says on Kretã Kaingang's mouthguard. Kretã Kaingang is coordinator at Brazil's Indigenous Association APIB. Photo: Matheus Alves

Of: Alex Brekke

The corona pandemic means that attention to the Amazon has decreased. Then Brazil's government takes the opportunity to change laws to reduce protection for the rainforest. Now it is especially important that we demand that the forest and the rights of indigenous peoples be protected, writes Alex Brekke on Amazon Watch Sweden.

June 17, 2020, Debate

Is corona a warning signal from nature?

Lion on a road in South Africa

In many places in the world, wild animals have appeared on the roads now that humans are in quarantine. Photo: Chris Eason (CC BY 2.0)

Of: Olivia Vallada

The Corona pandemic has put us humans around the world in the same boat. The crisis threatens all our lives and the world economy. Here in Brazil, the states went into a lockdown or voluntary lockdown shortly after Europe but before the United States, despite the fact that the disease was relatively new in the country. Brazil is likely to continue its lockdown until the end of May, if […]

Read more »

May 18, 2020, FUF-correspondents

The good will for the environment also exists in Brazil

Many Brazilians have an environmental commitment, even if the political leaders focus on something else. Photo: Flavio Boaventura (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Of: Olivia Vallada

After right-wing populist Jair Bolsonaro was elected president of Brazil, many claim that Brazilians do not care about the environment. That is a provocative statement. I think the truth is more complicated than that. During my stay in Brazil, I have come to better understand the Brazilians' love for nature and the environment. Just like the philosopher Roger Scruton […]

Read more »

March 30, 2020, FUF-correspondents

Who will stand up for human rights?

Protest against arms trade with Saudi Arabia.

Human rights activists in London are protesting against the arms trade with Saudi Arabia. Photo: Campaign Against Arms Trade (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Of: Celina Lindgren

The murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi still makes its mark on the Swedish debate. At the same time, other debaters are worried about Jair Bolsonaro's victory in the Brazilian presidential election. In addition, Sweden's deportations of children, and incorrect figures on the number of climate refugees, are being debated.

October 31, 2018, Current debate

It is unacceptable that Swedish investments contribute to land conflicts

Of: Annelie Andersson

Swedish pension money contributes to small farmers in Latin America losing land that guarantees their livelihood. Human rights and democracy must never be the prize for maximizing economic gain. Therefore, Sweden must take its responsibility in land issues, writes Annelie Andersson from the Latin American groups.

April 20, 2016, Debate