For specialists, the 1988 Constitution is a reference in individual freedoms

After a long period of military rule, the Federal Constitution of 1988 symbolised the guarantee of fundamental and social rights for Brazilians. On its 30^th anniversary, the constitution is remembered by lawyers as a benchmark in the protection of the individual freedoms of citizens.

After the Magna Carta, or the "Citizen Constitution" - as it was dubbed - Brazil entered its longest democratic period. Through it, Brazilians came to live with the right to direct, confidential, universal and periodic voting, freedom of expression and of the press, and in a State governed by solid, independent institutions.

“I think our Constitution is very advanced in terms of universal rights, the protection of vulnerable groups, freedom of expression and the press - areas in which we have advanced a lot in the last 30 years," said legal expert Daniel Sarmento, a reference in constitutional law. For him, the consolidation of the Constitution contributed to advances in areas such as health and education and to strengthen Brazilian institutions.

Freedoms

Constitutional lawyer Saul Tourinho Leal also points to advances in fundamental rights brought by the 1988 Constitution. "We came from a time when we did not have true liberties, when we did not have effective institutions and instruments that consolidate an active democracy," he said.

According to him, the Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to contest, establish dialogue with and correct institutions. "It protects a set of elements that made possible the realisation of the fundamental rights of citizens... it brought about institutions dedicated to creating the conditions for the Constitution to be more than a book of promises," he said.