Brazil president Lula puts Vinicius as an example against racism

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in a video message to a UN meeting on Tuesday, described as exemplary the way in which footballer Vinicius Junior responded to the racist insults he suffered at a match in Spain.

"The lesson we are left with from these unforgivable episodes is that, if Vini Junior, a 22-year-old, is capable of rising up against hostile crowds, there is no doubt that we can and must do more to stop this discouraging cycle of violence," the progressive leader said in his message.

Lula, one of the first to speak out against the racist insults received by the Brazilian national team and Real Madrid striker in the match against Valencia in La Liga, said that the huge repercussions of the episode at the Mestalla stadium showed that "racism goes beyond land and maritime borders".

Brazil's head of state once again came to Vinicius' defence in a video message released by the Presidency and sent to the UN Permanent Forum of People of African Descent, a meeting held on Tuesday at the organisation's headquarters in New York, where he was represented by his Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco.

The liberal leader used the message to propose that the next Forum meeting be held in Brazil, the country with the second largest population of people of African descent in the world after Nigeria.

"Now more than ever, this Forum is essential to advance the United Nations declaration on the rights of people of African descent. The Brazilian delegation reiterates its commitment to the banner of racial equality at the domestic and international level, and leaves the doors open for the next session of the Forum to be held in Brazil," he said.