Brazil seeks rights group’s help over Rousseff impeachment

Brasilia, Aug 11 (IANS) Brazilian lawmakers from the Worker's Party have sought suspension of the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, and help from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in sorting out legal matters.

Rousseff herself also has signed the petition filed with the commission, Xinhua news agency reported.

In their petition dated Wednesday, the lawmakers called for the suspension of the impeachment process until the legal matters surrounding the impeachment are clarified.

"We are experiencing a coup d'etat in Brazil that relies on the participation of parliament and the omission of the judicial system," said Wadih Damous, one of the deputies who signed the petition.

The Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to put Rousseff on trial, one step closer to her permanent removal from office, after she was suspended by the Senate for 180 days.