Attack on Democratic institutions following the election of the new Brazilian President  

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) notes with concern the reports from Brazil on the attack on Democratic institutions following the election of the new Brazilian President.

There can be no justification for the attack on the Parliament and the Supreme Court.

The LSSA, which focuses on the Rule of Law and in association with the Brazilian Bar, is deeply concerned, and following the attack on Capitol Hill in the United States in April 2021, this does not bode well.

The LSSA urges all legal institutions and practitioners worldwide to defend, entrench and protect the Rule of Law, as this strikes at the heart of the law.

We urge all politicians to desist from attacking legal institutions and democracy. We condemn this crude and cowardly action that seeks to rule by mob, threatening the core of the legal profession and the societies we serve.

We stand in solidarity with the people of Brazil and our colleagues in the legal profession and the judiciary.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA, MABAENG LENYAI