The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, stated on Wednesday (09/04) that the Public Security Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) should not be viewed as a definitive solution to the country’s security challenges. According to him, it represents an initial step towards addressing crime. The proposal strengthens the federal government’s role in coordinating public security efforts and sets minimum guidelines to be followed by agencies and institutions nationwide, aiming to enhance coordination and consistency in crime-fighting strategies. At the same time, it creates a way to consolidate human rights policies.
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No Single Solution
The minister emphasized that there is no single or immediate solution to a problem that affects not only Brazil but also many other countries worldwide. He made the statement during a hearing at the Senate’s Public Security Commission. In this context, he stressed that the proposal should be seen not as a final answer, but as a starting point.
Core Pillars
Lewandowski highlighted that the PEC is founded on essential pillars. The first two involve the integration of police forces and the constitutionalization of the National Public Security Fund and the Penitentiary Fund. He explained that this move ensures that funds allocated to these areas cannot be withheld, providing greater financial stability and predictability.
Text Delivered to the Chamber
On Tuesday (08/04), Lewandowski delivered the PEC draft to the Chamber of Deputies Speaker, Hugo Motta, who stated that the proposal was well received. Shortly after receiving the document, Motta announced on social media that he would give the proposal full priority for discussion.
Working Group
In coordination with congressional leaders and Minister Lewandowski, a decision was also made to establish a permanent working group focused on public security. The goal is to assess additional initiatives alongside the PEC in order to develop broader and more effective solutions to tackle public security issues.
Key Measures in the PEC
- Among the PEC’s provisions
- Incorporates the Unified Public Security System (SUSP) into the Federal Constitution, like the Unified Health System (SUS)
- Requires states to share security data
- Expands the Federal Highway Police’s duties to include railways and waterways
- Grants Municipal Civil Guards (GCMs) overt police powers, enabling them to make arrests and perform other enforcement actions.
Main Concern
Violence has emerged as the primary concern of Brazilians, surpassing social issues, according to a Quaest survey released on Wednesday (02/04). In the previous poll from January, violence was nearly tied with social concerns — a category that includes hunger, poverty, and homelessness. This is the first time since the survey series began in April 2023 that violence ranks alone at the top. At that time, the economy was cited as the main issue.
Current top concerns among Brazilians:
- Violence: 29%
- Social issues: 23%
- Economy: 19%
- Health: 12%
- Corruption: 10%
- Education: 7%.
Analysis:
The recent statements by Minister Ricardo Lewandowski regarding the proposed Public Security Constitutional Amendment (PEC) reflect a pragmatic and much-needed shift in the national approach to combating crime in Brazil. By framing the PEC as a foundational step—rather than a definitive solution—the minister acknowledges the deep structural complexities and inter-jurisdictional challenges that have long hindered effective public security policy in the country.
Furthermore, the mandatory sharing of security data among states is a vital step toward enhancing intelligence capabilities and fostering collaboration between federal and local forces. Likewise, expanding the jurisdiction of the Federal Highway Police and granting overt policing powers to Municipal Civil Guards (GCMs) may bolster frontline enforcement capacity—though it also raises concerns about training, oversight, and the risk of overlapping responsibilities.
Sources: G1 [1], [2], [3]; A Folha de SP; O Globo.
