HISTORICAL MEMORY OF PROF. DOCTOR ANTÔNIO AUGUSTO CANÇADO TRINDADE: AN INSPIRING HUMANIST JURIST WHO MADE HIS PRACTICE HIS DOCTRINE AND DEDICATED HIMSELF TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE WORLD - DOI: 10.12818/P.0304-2340.2022v81p33

Abstract

The foundation of freedom, justice and peace
in the world is in the recognition of the inherent
dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights
of all members of the human family, says the
1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the document that defines fundamental
rights to be universally protected. But the
Declaration could be easily forgotten if its
aspirations were not converted into actions.
Prof. Antônio Augusto Cançado Trindade
devoted his life to the achievement of human
rights. His contributions go far beyond a
sound academic production focused on a
humanistic view of International Law. As legal
counselor and judge he not only followed the
evolution of the major themes of our time, but
worked directly on them.
As Judge of the Inter-American Court of
Human Rights he resolutely committed to thedefense of human rights. He directly influenced
basal changes in the Court’s Rule of Procedure
to allow victims express autonomously their
pleadings to the Court. Thanks to his firm
positions, the Court expanded the list of
rights that cannot be abrogated by States,
nullified amnesty laws that forgave atrocities
committed by dictatorships, and incorporated
indigenous worldview to its jurisprudence.
Dozens of people had their lives protected by
urgent measures ordered by him. In the end of
his term the role of the Court was strengthened
and it was recognized as a tribunal where
abandoned people could find Justice.