LingVo.club
Level
Identities of Two Men from Brazil's Military Ddictatorship Revealed — text

Identities of Two Men from Brazil's Military Ddictatorship RevealedCEFR B1

13 May 2025

Adapted from Fernanda Canofre, Global Voices CC BY 3.0

Photo by Pedro Céu, Unsplash

AI-assisted adaptation of the original article, simplified for language learners.

In April 2025, Brazil confirmed the identities of two men executed during the military dictatorship. Dênis Casemiro, a mason tortured and killed in 1971, and Grenaldo de Jesus Silva, who hijacked an airplane in 1972, were both buried without proper identification. The recent identification highlights the ongoing efforts to address historical human rights abuses in Brazil.

Casemiro was a member of an armed group and was tortured by government agents. Silva, after being arrested for advocating sailors' rights, attempted to escape but tragically lost his life during the hijacking attempt. Their cases are part of broader efforts to uncover the truth about Brazil's political crimes.

Research teams are still working to identify more victims, as many families seek closure over their lost loved ones. These developments aim to bring justice and recognition to those who suffered during a dark chapter of Brazil's history.

Difficult words

  • identifyTo recognize and name someone or something.
    identities, identification
  • executeTo kill someone as a legal punishment.
    executed
  • tortureTo cause great pain to someone.
    tortured
  • advocateTo support or recommend a cause.
    advocating
  • justiceFair treatment for people.
  • closureA sense of resolution or peace after a loss.
  • abuseMisuse or mistreatment of someone or something.
    abuses

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • How can identifying past victims help society today?
  • What impact do historical human rights abuses have on families?
  • Why is it important to uncover the truth about political crimes?

Related articles

Child Marriage is a Systemic Failure
21 Sept 2025

Child Marriage is a Systemic Failure

Child marriage in Pakistan is a serious issue affecting many girls, denying them their dreams and impacting their health. The article discusses the legal framework, societal challenges, and hopeful changes regarding this issue.