On Thursday (20/07), Justice and Public Security Minister Flávio Dino announced on a social network a list of actions planned by the government to deal with the increase in violent crimes, such as rape, scams and cases of racism, in addition to other issues in public security. The measures are a response to problems emerging in the country’s criminal landscape, which were recently revealed by the 2022 Brazilian Public Security Yearbook. The document was released on Thursday (20/07) by the Brazilian Public Security Forum.
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Measures Announced
Even though many measures are still just ideas of measures to be taken, the Minister announced them anyway:
- Specific plan for the Amazon for dealing with the growing violence in the region
- Strong articulation with states and cities and more integrated operations
- Control over irresponsible gun ownership
- Specific measures against racism and to protect women
- Policies focused on the 163 most violent cities of the country
- Greater action by the Federal Police and federative coordination in the fight against cybercrimes, which include scams, abuse against children and teenagers, etc.
- Preparation, in association with cell phone operators and the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), of measures to discourage cell phones robberies and thefts
Decree to control Weapons
On Friday (21/07), President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) signed a decree on gun control in the country. The measure is part of the Security Action Program (PAS), a government package that aims to reduce violence in the country. During the program announcement, Lula stated that “arsenals in the hands of people” cannot be allowed.
According to the government, the decree:
- Reduces the number of weapons and ammunition that can be accessed by civilians for self-defense
- Decreases the number of weapons and ammunition that can be acquired by Hunters, Marksmen and Collectors (CACs)
- Prohibits CACs from transiting with loaded weapons
- Restricts the operation of shooting clubs
- Resumes rules for distinguishing between weapons used by security agencies and weapons for ordinary citizens
- Decreases the validity of firearms registrations
- Foresees the migration of arms control from the Army to the PF
Attacks in Schools
The PAS also included a bill that increases penalties for those who commit crimes in school environments. The proposal will be sent for analysis by the National Congress. The measure is the result of discussions that the government made after a series of attacks in schools this year, which killed and injured children.
According to the Justice and Public Security Ministry, the proposal adds to the list of qualified homicides, in the Code of Criminal Procedure, the homicide committed inside educational institutions. The expected penalty is imprisonment from 12 to 30 years, which may be increased by between a third and a half, if the victim is a person with a disability or an illness that increases their vulnerability. The project also foresees increasing the penalty by two thirds if the author of the crime is related or has a position of authority over the victim.
Crimes Against Democracy
In addition, the PAS also included two bills that intend to toughen penalties for committing crimes against democracy. The two proposals, called the “Democracy Package”, provide for increased penalties and the adoption of financial sanctions for suspects of crimes of the type.
The projects gained momentum after the attack on the Three Powers Plaza, in Brasília, on 8 January, when extremists that supported former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) invaded and vandalized the headquarters of the three powers, in Brasília.
