The trial in which Boaventura de Sousa Santos is trying to defend his good name and honor, in the face of accusations from a group of women, was suspended at the end of the morning and should resume within days.
After leaving the trial session which took place behind closed doors at the Coimbra Civil Court, By order of the judge Isabel Alves, the lawyers involved in this special process confirmed that the work would be suspended.
According to João Correia, the lawyer of Boaventura de Sousa Santos, the trial will only resume within days, since the opposing party will have “a few days to offer documents”, then “a few days to respond”.
“There is nothing unusual in terms of the procedure”, he said, assuring journalists as well the researcher was not present at this first session, as the Law does not require it.
Lawyer Lara Roque Figueiredo, who represents four women, reported that work had begun, but was suspended, making the session scheduled for 2pm null and void.
“It’s a fast process, which has a very specific ‘team’ and is not suitable for this type of material. In other words, these matters should not be dealt with in this type of process, which means that no progress has been made today and we will have to wait, which will obviously respect the procedural principles of adversarial proceedings and equality of arms ”, he said. .
Regarding the journalists, one of the defendants in this process, Sara Araújo, argued that these issues of sexual harassment, moral harassment and intellectual extraction ”can hardly be discussed in a summary process”.
In his opinion, this process concerns “serious problems affecting the Academy” and, “as a collective group of victims” they will be willing to hold an in-depth discussion “in due course”.
“It was difficult to sort out this process today, because our stories are more than 20 years old and have many aspects. We will talk about them, but over time, in depth and in these different dimensions”, he said.
The trial in which Boaventura de Sousa Santos will try to defend his good name and honor, in the face of accusations from a group of women, began early Friday morning, behind closed doors at the Coimbra Civil Court, as decided by the judge .
In an order, the bailiff read to journalists and signed by the judge Isabel Alves, it is decision “not a public hearing”.
“Taking into account the facts that will be discussed at this hearing and described in the first petition, and taking into account the need to confront witnesses with the documents attached to the case, especially electronic correspondence exchanged between the parties, we understand that it is important to protect the witnesses. The dignity of the author and , whether from the defendants, as well as to guarantee the normal functioning of the hearing”, he alleged.
During the morning there was no agreement between the parties.
The investigator Boaventura de Sousa Santos announced, at the end of September, that he filed a civil action for personal protection at the Court of Coimbra, with which he seeks to ensure that his good name and honor are protected, in prosecution evidence from the Council. a group of women.
Harassment. Boaventura de Sousa Santos files a civil action to protect honor
Three researchers which went through the Center for Social Studies (CES) at the University of Coimbra reported cases of harassment in a chapter of the book entitled “Sexual misconduct in Academia – Towards an Ethics of Care in the University”which caused the researchers Boaventura de Sousa Santos and Bruno Sena Martins to be suspended from all their positions at CES, in April 2023.
The CES, a few months later, completed an independent commission to investigate the allegations, after releasing its report almost a year later, on March 13, 2024, which confirmed patterns of behavior regarding the abuse of power and harassment, by people in higher hierarchical positions, without specifying names.
The case of Boaventura Sousa Santos. The report of the Independent Commission confirms signs of abuse of power and harassment
According to the report issued at the time, the independent commission 32 complainants reported 14 people, in a total of 78 reports.
A week later, a group of 13 women, in a document signed by each of them, urged the Portuguese judicial authorities to urgently investigate the alleged criminal behavior mentioned in the report.
Bonaventure. Hundreds of pages of evidence of harassment, 14 reports and profiles of alleged victims: what the final report reveals
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In October, the women’s group launched a fundraising campaign to finance the legal costs of alleged victims of harassment at the Center for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra.
Called Academia Sem Assédio – Legal Support Fund for Victims at CES, this campaign, which raised more than 7,000 euros, was created to “finance the legal costs of victims, ensuring that they are able to face the justice system in following up on complaints”.
How can the legal system effectively address allegations of harassment that involve power dynamics in academic settings?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Legal Expert on the Boaventura de Sousa Santos Case
Time.news Editor: Good day, and thank you for joining us today. We are here to analyze a high-profile legal proceeding involving renowned sociologist Boaventura de Sousa Santos, who is currently embroiled in a case relating to serious allegations of harassment. To provide insights into this complex situation, we have legal expert Dr. Mariana Ferreira with us. Welcome, Dr. Ferreira!
Dr. Mariana Ferreira: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important issue.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The trial of Boaventura de Sousa Santos was recently suspended in the Coimbra Civil Court. Can you explain what led to this suspension and what it indicates about the proceedings?
Dr. Ferreira: Certainly! The suspension, as confirmed by Judge Isabel Alves, was primarily procedural. The opposing party requires time to gather and submit their documentation, and subsequent days will allow for responses. This kind of delay is not unusual in civil cases, especially those dealing with complex allegations, and can serve to ensure that both sides have adequate time to prepare their cases.
Editor: It seems from the report that the session was held behind closed doors. Why is this privacy significant in a trial of this nature?
Dr. Ferreira: The closed-door hearing is designed to protect the dignity of all involved, especially considering the sensitive nature of the allegations. When discussing issues like sexual harassment and moral harassment, protecting the witnesses and their testimonies is critical. Open hearings can sometimes lead to additional trauma for those involved, so the court often opts for privacy in such cases.
Editor: One of the lawyers representing the complainants indicated that the quick process might not suffice for the depth of the allegations. What are your thoughts on that?
Dr. Ferreira: That’s a valid concern. The lawyer mentioned that this matter involves stories spanning over two decades, which inherently requires a thorough and nuanced exploration. Addressing such intricate cases in what is often a streamlined legal process may not allow for the comprehensive analysis necessary to truly understand the scope of the allegations, the context, and the impact on the victims.
Editor: This case has drawn significant attention due to the actions taken by the Center for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra, where Santos worked. How does the institutional response play into the legal proceedings?
Dr. Ferreira: Institutional responses are crucial in these cases, as they not only address the individual involved but also reflect on the organizational culture. Following the allegations and the report that confirmed patterns of abusive behavior, the university has a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and ensure a safe academic environment. Their involvement can potentially influence the legal proceedings, as institutional findings may bear weight in court.
Editor: The allegations are reportedly connected to issues of power dynamics within academia. How does this context affect the legal landscape?
Dr. Ferreira: Power dynamics are central to understanding these allegations. When individuals in positions of authority engage in harassment, it can create an environment where victims may feel they can’t speak out due to fear of retaliation or disbelief. The court’s handling of such cases needs to consider these unique factors and strive to balance power during the proceedings—this includes ensuring that all parties are treated equitably.
Editor: where do you foresee this case heading in the coming days? What are the key factors to watch?
Dr. Ferreira: The resumption of the trial will be critical; we should look for the comprehensive documentation that the complainants will be submitting. The manner in which both sides present their arguments will also be telling. Additionally, the court’s willingness to explore the long-term impacts of the alleged misconduct might set important precedents. this case can significantly impact how similar allegations in academic settings are addressed moving forward.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ferreira, for your insights and analysis on this complex case. We appreciate your expertise as we continue to follow events surrounding Boaventura de Sousa Santos.
Dr. Ferreira: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep these discussions going, and I look forward to seeing how this case unfolds.