In an interview with Lusa in Lisbon, where he went to participate, on Thursday, in the ceremonies commemorating the 50th anniversary of April 25th on behalf of the Brazilian President, Mauro Vieira stressed that it is not his place to comment on the statements of a head of state, but recalled, in this regard, that Brazil has "a policy of reparation" for the "Afro-descendant Brazilian population", which represents more than 50% of the Brazilian population.

Asked to comment on the statements made by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at a dinner with the Foreign Press Association, on Wednesday, the minister said: "I can only say that Brazil internally has a policy of reparation for the Afro-descendant Brazilian population. We have affirmative policies that support in the most diverse circumstances".

Mauro Vieira said, however, that the statements by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa are a matter of "Portuguese internal politics" and that he cannot and should not comment on the statements of "a head of state".

As examples of support given to this majority population, the minister pointed to the support for entering university and in all social areas and scholarships for preparing for university exams for exams for a diplomatic career.

"So, for the Brazilian Government, and for President Lula [Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, current head of state of Brazil] himself said so, we have to redeem this debt with the Afro-descendant Brazilian population", stressed Mauro Vieira.

The Brazilian Minister for Racial Equality had already asked this Wednesday, the day on which Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's statements were made public, for "concrete actions" on the part of Portugal following the "important and forceful" statement by the Portuguese head of state, suggesting the payment of reparations for crimes from the colonial era.

"This statement is really very important and forceful", said Anielle Franco to the Brazilian portal G1, referring to the statements by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in which he acknowledged Portugal's responsibilities for crimes committed during the colonial era, suggesting the payment of reparations for the mistakes of the past.

"For the first time we are having a debate of this dimension at an international level", stressed the Brazilian minister, sister of former councillor Marielle Franco, murdered in 2018, adding that such statements are "the result of centuries of demands by the black population".

Anielle Franco also added that her team was already "in contact with the Portuguese Government to discuss how to think about these actions and from here what steps will be taken".

During a dinner, on Tuesday, with foreign correspondents in Portugal, the Portuguese President said that Portugal has "to pay the costs".

"Are there actions that have not been punished and those responsible have not been arrested? Are there goods that have been looted and have not been returned? Let's see how we can repair this", said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

At the event, Rebelo de Sousa said that Portugal "assumes full responsibility" for the mistakes of the past and recalls that these crimes, including colonial massacres, had costs.

A year ago, at the welcome session for Brazilian President Lula da Silva, which preceded the formal session commemorating the 49th anniversary of April 25th in the Assembly of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa argued that Portugal owed an apology, but above all it should fully assume responsibility for the exploitation and slavery in the colonial period.

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