Press release 08.04.2000:

In a speech made on Wednesday, the leader of the Opposition, senator Ms Heloísa Helena urged all democratic forces to back the mounting of the controversial sculpture at water level in the lake in front of the Parliament. The senator emphasized: "by accepting the Pillar of Shame and setting it up, the National Congress is manifesting a symbolic act testifying that this parliament is not conniving with impunity." Ms Helena proceeds: "Impunity is an international evil undermining the human rights of citizens in rich and poor countries, independently of religious faith, colour or sex. Having this in mind, Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot has created the Pillar of Shame, an eight metres high sculpture that is serving as an accusation against impunity. The piece of art has been inspired by the assassination of 19 landless peasants in Eldorado de Carajás, Pará, on 17 April 1996."

It is still uncertain whether an authorization can be achieved for exhibiting the sculpture on this poignant site. But for the time being the Danish artist is pleased with the state of affairs. He says: "I’m really happy that we have achieved such a wide parliamentary and popular support for setting up the Pillar of Shame in Brazil, for the sake of highlighting the rule of law in the biggest country in Latin America."

The Danish group will take off from the airport of Copenhagen on Sunday 9 April at 7.45 p.m. and is expected to come down in Rio on Monday at 7.20 a.m. (local times).

To the index page of the Brazilian Pillar of Shame | To photos of the Brazilian Pillar of Shame |
 To a more detailed description of the Pillar of Shame | To an index of the Pillar of Shame in generel