PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE BRAZILIAN CIVIL-MILITARY DICTATORSHIP

Abstract

This study investigates the psychological impacts of human rights violations during the Brazilian military dictatorship, focusing on the film Ainda Estou Aqui (I Am Still Here). The research was conducted through a literature review using sources like SciELO and Google Scholar, alongside discussions among various authors. The dictatorial regime (1964-1985) used torture, forced disappearances, and repression to control society, leaving deep scars. The film addresses the case of Rubens Paiva, a censured congressman who was arrested, tortured, and disappeared by the state, highlighting the prolonged suffering of his family and the perpetuation of the "disappearing power." The work illustrates the repression and institutional silencing of the time, reinforcing historical impunity. It also discusses the role of Psychology during the period, which, by focusing on individual clinical approaches, overlooked the social and political impacts of the authoritarian regime. The findings show that the trauma affected not only the direct victims but entire generations, creating a legacy of fear and censorship. It is concluded that forced disappearance, still used as a repressive tool, remains present in Brazilian society, underscoring the need for memory and justice policies.