UFRJ awards posthumous diplomas to victims of military dictatorship

The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) held a ceremony to award posthumous diplomas to 23 students and two professors who were victims of the Brazilian military dictatorship.

Among those honored was economics student Fernando Augusto da Fonseca, who was killed 53 years ago after being tortured by the military. His son, André Luiz Araújo da Fonseca, accepted the diploma on his father's behalf, stating the document symbolizes the completion of a dream interrupted by authoritarianism.

UFRJ Rector Roberto de Andrade Medronho described the ceremony as a commitment to memory, truth, and justice, emphasizing the importance of defending democracy to prevent such history from repeating.