Towards a policy of memory for the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a critical analysis of initiatives in the context of Brazilian democracy

Reis, Rossana Rocha; Pereira, Cristiane Ribeiro; Campos, Mariana Cabral

doi:10.1590/2179-8966/2025/88955

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Unpublished articles • Rev. Direito Práx. 16 (03) • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8966/2025/88955i linkcopy

Towards a policy of memory for the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a critical analysis of initiatives in the context of Brazilian democracy

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

This article presents a preliminary survey of initiatives to memorialize the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing the narratives found in testimonies from relatives of victims and their representatives, as reported in newspapers and other media. The aim is to reflect on the dilemmas and challenges involved in establishing a public memory policy. In the introduction, we explore the theoretical and conceptual implications of such a policy in contexts different from those typically addressed in the transitional justice literature, with the goal of offering suggestions to advance COVID-19-related memorial initiatives in Brazil. We conclude by arguing that a memory policy is essential, not only for those most directly affected by the disease, but also for building a collective identity as a democratic society in which all lives matter.

Keywords:
Justice; Memory; Pandemic.

Promoter type	Qty	%	Format	Qty	%	Scope	Qty	%
Civil	86	59	Virtual	89	61	Local	76	52
Governmental	37	25	Physical	51	35	State	67	46
Mixed	24	16	Hybrid	7	5	National	4	3

Type of initiative	Qty	% of total
Documentary	62	42
Memorial	58	39
Mural	8	5
Film	6	4
Music	6	4
Association	2	1
Monument	2	1
Archive	2	1
Museum	1	1
Total	147	100

Remembrance/recognition (13 cases) - Statements associating the memorials with the expectation of eternalizing or perpetuating the memory of victims or key figures/groups in the COVID-19 response in their respective territories, and the opportunity to offer recognition to their families and loved ones.	“The meaning of the memorial is to show our feelings and our gratitude to our staff members and their relatives, to our magistrates, and to all those who collaborated with the Judiciary and who left us so prematurely as a result of the pandemic, which saddened everyone.” - Judge Maria das Graças Pessôa Figueiredo, Vice President of the Amazonas State Court of Justice, on the Memorial do Tribunal de Justiça do Amazonas (TJAM).
	“The pandemic was a very difficult moment for all of us, when many families lost their loved ones and did not even have the chance to say goodbye at the final moment. There are 203 Serra Talhada residents who left us and will forever be remembered. That is why we thought of this memorial, a space where families can come together and remember that love remains and that the people who left will never be forgotten.” - Márcia Conrado, then Mayor of Serra Talhada (PE), on the Memorial de Serra Talhada.
Disappointments/protests (13 cases) - Statements linking the memorial to dissatisfaction with the pandemic response (mostly at the national level) and to acts of protest or denunciation carried out through the memorial and/or in the context of its inauguration.	“So that it will not be forgotten, and so that tragedies like this are never repeated, we are together, fighting for other real tributes to be paid, such as the continued strengthening of the SUS and of all the institutions that now help the victims of COVID. We are together and will remain in this fight so that no one else loses their life needlessly.” - Sueli Aparecida Belatto, representative of the Associação Vida e Justiça, at the inauguration of the memorial in the Senate building, Brasília (DF).
	“The way Brazil approached this crisis - the absolutely disastrous government policy that led to 700,000 lives lost... This cannot be forgotten. If we don’t call this genocide, I don’t know what else we can call it.” - Nísia Trindade, Minister of Health, at the announcement event for the Ministry of Health Memorial, Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
Social transformation (3 cases) - Statements connecting the memorials to the promotion of changes that would prevent repetition or to the perpetuation of lessons learned from the experiences of COVID-19.	“There is no way to address the consequences of COVID in the coming years or decades without restructuring Social Security and providing it with significant resources to create new public policies and strengthen existing social protection systems.” - Renato Simões, Executive Coordinator of the Associação Vida e Justiça.
	“The tree carries this symbolism of eternalizing memory, this perspective of the passage of time. What we want here is to leave a reminder for the future by planting these 1,520 trees, which are the people of Canoas. On the one hand, to remember those who lost their lives to the disease, to celebrate the lives of these people, and on the other hand, also to leave a record for society of what happened.” - Jairo Jorge, then Mayor of Canoas (RS), on the Memorial with 1,500 trees.
Narratives (3 cases) - Statements not directly related to the nature or purpose of the memorial, but offering brief descriptions of moments considered important in its context.	“Our priority is the defense of the right to memory, truth, and justice for the families directly affected by COVID.” - Renato Simões, Executive Coordinator of the Associação Vida e Justiça.
	“Young people from marginalized neighborhoods were protagonists in the mobilization to reduce the direct impacts of COVID-19 in their territories. It is symbolic that in our first major action we highlight the youth of Cidade de Deus.” - Salvino Oliveira, Special Secretary for Youth in Rio de Janeiro, in the context of the City Hall memorial project in Cidade de Deus.

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