Seeking to redress one of the darkest chapters of its dictatorship era, Brazil amnestied dozens of peasants who were jailed or tortured on charges they were linked to a 1970s Communist uprising.
The move is among Brazil's few efforts to address the crimes of the 1964-1985 military rule that even President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, himself jailed by the junta for union organizing efforts, has cautiously avoided.
The justice ministry led an emotional ceremony in this isolated Amazon region that gave amnesty to 44 people who had been persecuted in the brutal suppression of a rebel movement known as Araguaia Guerrillas.
"Today we are making a formal request for forgiveness of the Brazilian state," said Justice Minister Tarso Genro.
"This is the affirmation of the dignity and respect with which the state must treat its citizens."
The amnesty recipients will receive up to $72,000 (€51,724) along with monthly payments equal to twice the minimum wage for the rest of their lives.
In some cases the government provided posthumous amnesty to peasants who were victims of persecution and paid reparations to family members.
"For us it is a moment of justice," said 69-year-old Pedro Matos, who was jailed in 1973 and later tortured. "It shows that the country really can't allow things like that to happen."
Brazil has never prosecuted anyone for participating in that era's murder and widespread torture that included use of chemicals and electrical shocks.
Reuters