Brazilian was key in denouncing Assad for crimes against humanity

Over the years, the commission chaired by the Brazilian gathered hundreds of reports and documents that could eventually be used to file a complaint with the International Criminal Court. Among Pinheiro’s work is the construction of a chain of command in the execution of crimes.

At that moment, Pinheiro indicated that there was no doubt that torture, sexual rape, deaths and disappearances of thousands of people, including children, were ordered by the highest levels of the Syrian government.

Pinheiro led the work at the request of the UN Human Rights Council and was chosen for his experience and for being Brazilian, as Itamaraty still maintained open channels with Damascus.

The Syrians prevented the commission from officially entering the country. But they received the Brazilian in isolation. Still, the poll is considered within the UN as the most complete collection of evidence of Assad’s repression.

Over the years, the Brazilian was responsible for leading a series of investigations. In 2012, he received the mandate to investigate the Hula massacre, which killed 108 people. His work, according to the White House, would serve as the basis for a possible case against Bashar Al Assad at the International Criminal Court.

At that time, Moscow, Beijing and Havana voted against the project, claiming that the Brazilian’s investigation would be used politically to justify possible military action.

In 2014, the same Brazilian would lead an investigation into the actions of the Islamic State. Pinheiro would be received by Pope Francis to deal with the crisis.