Lawyer and professor Marcello Lavenère, who was president of the (Brazilian Bar Association) and one of the authors of the former president’s request in 1992, died this Sunday (12), aged 86, in Brasília. The cause of death was not disclosed.
Lavenère, who presided over the entity between 1991 and 1993, signed the request with Barbosa Lima Sobrinho, then president of the Brazilian Press Association. Born in Maceió, the lawyer and legal consultant also presided over the OAB of Alagoas for two consecutive terms, from 1981 to 1985. Engaged in civil society and human rights causes, he headed the Amnesty Commission between 2003 and 2007.
The president () issued a note of condolence over the death and expressed feelings and solidarity with the family, friends, colleagues and admirers of the lawyer, who taught at the Federal University of Alagoas (Ufal), the University of Brasília (UnB) and the Escola Superior do Ministério Public.
“Always active in the defense of democracy and social justice, Lavenère left his legacy in the legal profession in Brazil and at the head of the Amnesty Commission of the Ministry of Justice, and dedicated himself to the fight for reparation for the victims of the dictatorship”, stated Lula.
The lawyer also served as attorney for the state of Alagoas and member of the Justice and Peace Commission of the CNBB (National Conference of Brazilian Bishops). In 2016, he was one of three experts appointed by the defense of the then president (PT) to speak at the Senate committee that analyzed her impeachment.
The OAB Nacional began seven days of mourning for Lavenère, who was an honorary lifetime member of the entity’s federal council. “The feeling that fills us is one of sadness. Whoever left was one of the indispensable members of the legal profession. A man with a generous and supportive soul”, the current president said in a statement.
Sections from several states, including Alagoas, also mourned the death.
Collor’s impeachment request, signed by Lavenère in 1992, culminated in the deposition of the first president since 1960.
The accusation of criminal responsibility was based on allegations that he had benefited from the scheme led by businessman PC Farias. The request was based on the report of a Congressional CPI (parliamentary commission of inquiry) that investigated the case.
The lawyer also participated in several events to encourage Collor’s departure at the time and, in the following years, became closer to PT figures. During Lava Jato, he criticized the operation’s methods and came to Lula’s defense on different occasions, such as when the PT member was coerced into testimony in 2016.
