This Monday (25), the University of Pernambuco [public state university in the city of Recife] celebrates its 59th anniversary. As part of the celebrations, the institution will award diplomas to students and social servants persecuted by the civil-military dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985.
One of the honorees is Rosane Alves Rodrigues, who was studying medicine at the university and was a member of the Mediano Student Directory (DCE, in Portuguese) when she came under military scrutiny and had to go underground, fleeing to Chile and Denmark. The long period of repression in Brazil prevented her from returning to complete her degree. The diploma in memoriam will be awarded to Rodrigues ‘s relatives, recognizing her struggle for democracy, freedom, and human rights.
Staff and former students who completed their courses but contributed to the fight against the dictatorial regime will also be honored with the “Diploma of Resistance.” The list includes three social servants: Enildo Galvão Carneiro Pessoa (former engineering professor), Javan Seixas de Paiva (former dentistry professor), and Severino Vitorino de Lima (former technical-administrative social servant at the Pernambuco School of Dentistry).
Eight other students will graduate in addition to Rodrigues: Francisco de Sales Gadelha de Oliveira (medicine), José Romualdo Fruto (medicine), José Luiz de Oliveira (medicine), Paulo Santos Carneiro (medicine), Maria Zélia de Sousa Levy (dentistry), Rildege de Acioli Cavalcanti (dentistry), Ilmar Pontual Peres (administration), and José Almino Arraes de Alencar Pinho (engineering).
The head of the University of Pernambuco, Maria do Socorro Cavalcanti, stated that the tribute reaffirms the institution’s commitment “to democracy and freedom of thought.”
“The graduation and tribute are an act of justice for those who fought for democracy in our country,” the professor and pharmacist added. The tributes were approved by the University of Pernambuco Council in October.
Professor Carlos Moura celebrates the “act of reparation and justice” promoted by the university. “Based on a thorough survey of documents, we identified 12 students and social servants who actively worked for the return of democracy in our country,” said Moura, a historian, research coordinator, and history professor at the university’s Nazaré da Mata campus.
The names emerged from Carlos André Moura’s research for a book on the University of Pernambuco’s History. This process unveiled numerous individuals involved in resisting the military regime. Interviews were conducted to confirm the information, with input from public bodies, popular movements, and the NGO Tortura Nunca Mais (Torture Never Again, in rough translation.) “We are grandchildren, children, spouses, and grandparents seeking the right to bury our dead people. It is heartening to know that the university stands with us, strengthening democracy in our country,” said Esteio Araújo from the NGO.
The ceremony will take place at the Clélio Lemos auditorium at the Faculty of Administration and Law in the Madalena neighborhood.
Manadeira: BdF Pernambuco
Edited by: Vinícius Sobreira
