OAB is not a place for cowards
I waited for the end of the “internal election” of our group in OAB/DF to take a position.
The result, 42 votes for Jacques, 39 for Cleber, and 22 abstentions, is clear proof that there is a great division in what was once a group.
Many may not have understood what happened, but now I explain it without mincing words: what happened was a betrayal, pure and simple.
It all began when the current president, Juliano Costa Couto, launched himself, on the first day of his term, into a personal adventure of reelection. Exactly the opposite of what we defended in the campaign in which we formed the winning slate.
An adventure only aborted due to a serious complaint from the MPF that put us in the sad circumstance of seeing a president of OAB/DF criminally charged in Lava Jato for corruption and, worse, for obstruction of justice.
Still, in the impossibility of being a candidate, Juliano launched as his successor his friend and partner, the current secretary-general of the entity, Jacques Veloso. He did this without consulting any of the members of the board, in a personal power project among friends.
I emphasize that, for me and for the majority of the councilors, the group leader is Ibaneis Rocha, the president who professionalized the administration of the Order and who guaranteed space for women lawyers, young people, and sub-sections.
Ibaneis, in public and in private, has always made it clear that Jacques is not prepared for the position of president of OAB/DF. For this reason, he launched the name of the criminal lawyer Cléber Lopes as a candidate, whom I supported.
But, given the way the choices have now been made, I repeat: I will not condone a betrayal. The current president of OAB/DF has no moral conditions to represent the Order, much less to indicate as a successor whoever it may be.
Especially a name with no respect for women lawyers. Who treats us, women lawyers, as extras, to the point of defending our representation through the choice of family ties, society, and beauty. It is the classic expression of machismo within the category, which intends, from male councilors, to define which woman lawyer can represent them.
We are not puppets and we do not accept this tutelage. We will choose the women who actually represent us.
Furthermore, it is sad to see people wanting to use OAB for their own benefit.
I stay far away from this reality because I have principles, and with them, I continue to fight for the inclusion of women, young people, and sub-sections in OAB.
My nonconformity against the system bothers and costs me dearly, but I do not bow to the sexist attempt to label me as “difficult” and “stubborn,” so common to those who, without arguments, try to silence women who insist on having a voice.
OAB is not a place for cowards and complacent people.
Therefore, with the support of all those who believe in my values and convictions, I will continue to serve the principles that should guide a proud and independent OAB.
I do this fearlessly, and certain that I represent the aspirations of a majority tired of this rigged game that has brought so much harm to our category.
Daniela Teixeira
Lawyer”
