We condemn the continued persecution of former Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was jailed a year ago. Lula was favourite to win Brazil’s 2018 presidential election until he was jailed and barred from standing, in a move condemned by the UN human rights committee. The election was subsequently won by the far-right Jair Bolsonaro, who has said he hopes Lula “rots in prison”. Astonishingly, Judge Moro, who oversaw Lula’s trial, has now been appointed as Bolsonaro’s minister of justice. Lula is a political prisoner. We call for his freedom and stand in solidarity with those struggling for democracy in Brazil.

Richard Burgon MP

Diane Abbott MP

Daniel Carden MP

Emma Dent Coad MP

David Drew MP

Karen Lee MP

Grahame Morris MP

Laura Pidcock MP

Danielle Rowley MP

Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP

Laura Smith MP

Jean Corston House of Lords

Llin Golding House of Lords

Neil Findlay MSP

Bill Kidd MSP

Tariq Ali

John Pilger

Frances O’Grady General secretary, TUC

Len McCluskey General secretary, Unite the Union

Dave Prentis General secretary, Unison

Tim Roache General secretary, GMB

Paddy Lillis General secretary, USDAW

Manuel Cortes General secretary, TSSA

Mick Whelan General secretary, Aslef

Ronnie Draper General secretary, BFAWU

Chris Kitchen General secretary, NUM

Tony Burke and Christine Blower Vice-chairs, Brazil Solidarity Initiative

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