Brazilian lawmakers ask human rights group for help in Rousseff's impeachment

Brazilian lawmakers from the Workers' Party have filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for help in the impeachment trial of President Dilma Rousseff.

Rousseff herself also signed the petition filed with the commission.

In their petition dated Wednesday, the lawmakers call 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 the parliament and the omission of the judicial system," said Wadih Damous, one of the deputies who signed the petition.

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

(APD)