The perpetrators memory and the National Truth Comission (2012-2014): tensions, dilemmas and taboos

• Grant number: 24/02536-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2024
• End date: December 20, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - History of Brazil
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Francisco Napolitano de Eugenio
• Grantee: Daniele de Paula
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/18703-2 - THE PERPETRATOR'S MEMORY AND THE NATIONAL TRUTH COMMISSION (2012-2014): TENSIONS, DILEMMAS AND TABOOS, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

This research project is part of the theme of studies on perpetrators and aims to understand the memory of these characters about the Brazilian military dictatorship, through the analysis of the testimonies of Cláudio Guerra, Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra and Paulo Malhães, to the National Truth Commission (2012 -2014). In general, we believe that the project will contribute not only to understanding the memory of the perpetrators, but also to understanding the current narrative disputes surrounding the military regime. Noteworthy that the intention of the research is not to give relevance to the perpetrators' statements, but rather to analyze them in order to understand the complex dynamics of the construction of memories and their effects on the struggles of the present and the past. The project will work with two hypotheses: 1- The National Truth Commission cornered the perpetrators who, in turn, mobilized to reaffirm a positive memory of the dictatorship and/or defend their personal actions during the period, reigniting conflicts surrounding the military regime; 2- The perpetrators' narrative is anchored in a memory constructed from the 1980s onwards, by the military extreme right. Finally, we emphasize that there are few studies on this topic, because the academic works has focused on the memory of victims. Therefore, the research could contribute to a field of study that is still little explored by historiography and that has political and social relevance, given that disputes over the memory of the dictatorship are currently on the agenda.