‘My son will not return, but his name will not be tarnished’; letter from Zora to the judge in the Herzog case

On the eve of the festivities at the end of that year, 1978, a letter of approximately 25 lines reached the hands of the young federal judge Márcio José de Moraes, signed by Zora Herzog, mother of the journalist Vladimir Herzog – murdered ‘hard’ on October 25th in the undergrounds of DOI-Codi, the machine for grinding opponents of the exceptional regime.

It was a manifestation of gratitude to Moraes, for his ‘audacity’ and courage in contesting the official version that the military planted of Vlado’s unlikely suicide. In his sentence, the judge challenged the generals’ regime and imposed on the Union the obligation to compensate the Herzog family.

Still in the shadow of AI-5, which suffocated a country without rights, he recognized the State’s responsibility for eliminating the journalist.

“With all my heart I come to thank you, hoping that throughout your career you can always act in accordance with the principles of Justice and decency”, wrote Zora, on December 20th. “I would like to express my gratitude to you for making public the long-awaited sentence in the lawsuit filed by my daughter-in-law Clarice.”

Next Saturday, the 25th, Vlado’s death completes half a century. In honor of him, family, jurists and friends who also went through the most feared prison of repression will promote an inter-religious event in the Sé cathedral, where Herzog’s seventh-day mass was celebrated.

‘My Vlado’

Through a recording, in the voice of actress Fernanda Montenegro, Zora’s letter to the magistrate will be read. “Fortunately, in addition to being a citizen, you are also a judge of law, and in this capacity you managed to make your verdict heard, not only putting an end to the mysteries surrounding my Vlado’s death, but also opening perspectives so that other wronged people can have their cases brought to light.”

Zora declared. “My son will not return, but his good name will not be tarnished. If his disappearance was not in vain in the history of the country, for me his loss is definitive, my pain has no consolation.”

Now 78 years old, the judge clearly remembers Zora’s words and handwriting. “I don’t remember the place where I received the letter. I do remember the surprise and emotion I felt. The letter of the letter is still in my retina. I think I would still be able to recognize it today.”

He doesn’t remember precisely where he kept Zora’s letter, but he assumes that it was possibly in the possession of his brother, Mário, historian, author of a doctorate thesis at USP on the murder. “I sent him a briefcase at that time in which I kept objects related to the case.”

The final paragraph of the sentence practically went around the world. “In view of the above, I consider this action to be valid and I do so to declare the existence of a legal relationship between the authors and the defendant, consisting of the latter’s obligation to compensate for material and moral damages resulting from the death of journalist Vladimir Herzog, husband and father of the authors.”

‘Symbol’

“They made a symbol of Vlado, who hated notoriety”, wrote the journalist’s mother. “Modesty was one of his virtues. But his honor was reestablished thanks to his actions as a good man, Mr. Judge.”

From Zora to the judge – read the letter from Vlado’s mother

Dear judge Márcio José de Morais

I would like to express my gratitude to you for making public, on October 27th, the long-awaited sentence in the lawsuit filed by my daughter-in-law Clarice.

Fortunately, in addition to being a citizen, you are also a judge of law, and in this capacity you managed to make your verdict heard, not only putting an end to the mysteries surrounding my Vlado’s death, but also opening perspectives so that other wronged people can have their cases brought to light.

My son will not return, but his good name will not be tarnished.

If his disappearance was not in vain in the history of the country, for me his loss is definitive, my pain has no consolation.

They made a symbol of Vlado, who hated notoriety. Modesty was one of his virtues. But your honor was restored thanks to your actions as a good man, Mr. Judge.

With all my heart I come to thank you, hoping that throughout your career you can always act in accordance with the principles of Justice and decency.

I wish you, and your family, happy holidays and good health.

Sincerely, Zora Herzog