EXECUTIONS

48Legal Aspectsof Extrajudicial,Summary orArbitrary Executionsin Brazil66.1 The Protection of HumanRights in the Brazilian LegalSystemThe process of democratization in Brazil began after a twenty-oneyearperiod of authoritarian military rule from 1964 to 1985. During thisdictatorial regime, authorities practiced systematic torture, arbitraryarrests, forced disappearances, ideologically-based political persecution,and censorship. The executive power repressed basic rights and libertiesand rejected fundamental principles, such as the separation of powers andthe authority of state and local governments in a federal system. Acting asan autonomous institution, the Armed Forces took direct control of thegovernment's duties, effectively merging military and national power.The year 1985 marked the beginning of a gradual transitiontowards democracy. Although the political liberalization of the militaryregime brought about this transition, in the face of complex internalproblems, it was the opposition forces of civil society that accelerated themilitary's downfall. As the primary beneficiary of this liberalization, civilsociety strengthened itself through organization and mobilization,permitting important social and political achievements. New social actorsand movements surfaced, making demands and reinforcing basicprinciples of democracy.The slow, gradual democratic transition facilitated the return ofcivil control over military forces and demanded the restoration of a morejust socio-political relationship between Citizens and State. This processculminated in a new constitutional orderthe Brazilian Constitution ofOctober 5, 1988.