MEXICO CITY (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 18th August, 2018) Brazilian authorities do not consider binding the recommendations by the UN Human Rights Committee regarding observance of jailed former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas political rights as a presidential candidate, the countrys Foreign Ministry said Friday.
Earlier in the day, the UN Human Rights Committee urged Brazil to ensure that political rights of Lula were observed given that he was registered as a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. The committee also urged Brazil to refrain from hindering Lula from participating in the election until after his court appeals were completed.
"The committee's conclusions are advisory in nature and have no legal effect. The committee's findings will be forwarded to the judicial authorities," the ministry said as quoted by Folha de Sao Paulo media outlet.
The 72-year-old began serving his 12-year prison sentence in April on charges of accepting a luxury apartment as a bribe from a construction firm in return for concessions, a claim he denied. Lula served as president from 2003 to 2010 and remains very popular.
