The Brazilian Senate is scheduled to vote on the Public Security Constitutional Amendment (PEC) this Tuesday, November 3. Originally intended for analysis before the second round of elections, the vote was postponed following a deadlock regarding amendments that propose lowering the age of criminal responsibility. The government maintains that this specific issue should be debated separately from the main PEC to avoid jeopardizing its approval.
The proposal outlines the creation of a Unified Public Security System (SUSP), aiming to integrate efforts against organized crime across federal, state, and municipal levels. Key measures include the prohibition or restriction of temporary prison releases, known as "saidinha," and mandatory imprisonment in maximum-security facilities for certain offenses. Additionally, the text allows for the expropriation of assets linked to criminal activities, including those involving paramilitary groups and private militias.
The amendment also seeks to expand the operational scope of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) to include waterways and railways while permitting the creation of municipal police forces for ostensive and community policing. Intelligence activities and the Federal Police remain under the exclusive competence of the Union. For the proposal to pass, it requires the support of at least 49 senators across two voting rounds.
Tensions have risen as opposition parties, including the PL, have introduced amendments to lower the age of criminal responsibility within the PEC. These proposals suggest setting the age at 16 for most crimes and reducing it to 14 for heinous offenses such as torture, drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime. In response, rapporteur Senator Rogério Carvalho has requested that these amendments be removed from the PEC and analyzed separately, a move aligned with the Senate's internal regulations but subject to plenary approval.
Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has indicated procedural challenges, noting that the discussion could not proceed in previous sessions due to the rapporteur's absence and the report not being available in the system. Consequently, the agenda was inverted to address other non-controversial matters while awaiting the return of the rapporteur. The government views the security amendment as a top priority for President Lula, emphasizing the need to separate the debate on the age of criminal responsibility to ensure the broader security framework is enacted.
Sources: G1.