Public debt, children disappearance and urban violence are the investigated subjects

The Chamber of Deputies authorized on Monday (8) the creation of three Parliamentary Inquiry Committees (CPIs): to investigate public debt, proposed by Deputy Ivan Valente (Psol-SP); to investigate the disappearance of children and teenagers, proposed by Deputy Andreia Zito (PSDB-RJ); and to address urban violence, proposed by Deputy Alexandre Silveira (PPS-MG). The CPIs are now awaiting the definition of their members by the parties’ leaders before they can be installed.

Disappearances CPI

Andreia Zito informs that the CPI on Disappearances will investigate the causes, the consequences and the responsible people for the disappearances of children and teenagers in Brazil from 2005 to 2007. The congresswoman highlights that more than 50,000 children and teenagers disappear in Brazil every year. “The problem is that from 15 to 20% of those children are not found for a long period of time. Our objective is to find out what factors can be linked to that question, and if that can be linked to criminal activities”, explains the deputy.

The organ traffic
According to the deputy, the organ traffic is another theme that has been alarming the population. Andreia Zito suggests the development of a single record of national data, a network releasing names and photographs, inspection, DNA banks, and structures for psychological support to the families and to the children during the search and family reintegration processes. “If the analysis is based only on statistics, we can lose the focus on the social or police area issue”, she adds.

Public debt
Deputy Ivan Valente emphasizes that it is necessary to investigate the payment of interests of public debt and the beneficiaries by the Union’s payments, the states and municipalities, in addition to their impact on social policies and on the sustainable development of Brazil. The congressman reminds that from January 2003 until now, Brazil has destined more than R$ 851 billion only for the payment of nominal interest rates of public debt (domestic and international). “It is as if each one of the 186 million of Brazilians had spent, in this period of time, R$4,570 with the payment of this debt.”

Ivan Valente adds that only from January to November of last year, R$113.4 billion in interests were paid. “That amount corresponds to 12 times what was invested last year in the Family Grant, the main social program of the Federal Government. “The public debt is currently estimated in R$1.33 trillion, and has grown 7.8% in 2007. From that amount, the Internal Federal Monetary Public Debt amounts to R$1.224 trillion, and the foreign debt is R$108.9 billion.

Urban Violence
Deputy Alexandre Silveira affirms that urban violence strongly affects the decisions about investing in Brazil. “The global trade liberalization facilitates the import of products that could be produced in Brazil. The violence is a competitive factor in international marked, which contradicts our needs, exporting employment.

Silveira mentions the tourism industry, and affirms that it has been one of the most hampered by urban violence. “Most of the experts affirm that urban violence is something avoidable, as long as public-safety and social policies are enforced.”

From the newsroom/ RCA
Translation - Positive Idiomas Ltda