Lower criminal responsibility age now debated in Congress
The introduction of the bill for consideration in Congress was approved by 42 deputies who believe that it does not harm the Constitution, against 17 who opposed the initiative
A reduction in the age of criminal responsibility is now under examination in the Brazilian National Congress. The constitutional amendment bill, known in its Portuguese acronym as PEC 171, which lowers it from 18 to 16 years old, was approved for debate in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday (Mar 31), after 22 years of stagnation at the Committee on Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship (CJJ).
The introduction of the bill for consideration in Congress was approved by 42 deputies who believe that it does not conflict with the Constitution, against 17 who opposed the initiative. Holding up posters and banners, demonstrators both for and against the move watched attentively as the ballot was held.
The change is the subject of 39 constitutional amendment bills, 38 of which were attached to the one presented in 1993, which has just been submitted to Congress. One of them suggests having no age of criminal responsibility whatsoever; another brings it as far down as 14 years old.
The Committee on Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship is responsible for shelving or advancing bills that reach the Chamber of Deputies. Only proposals considered not to violate constitutional principles are sent to special committees for discussion.
The special committee to examine the matter and issue an official report on the PEC 171 is slated to be created on April 8. As per the internal rules of the Chamber of Deputies, the team is entitled to discuss the proposal in up to 40 plenary sessions at the lower house. In case there is no end to deliberations, the proposal may be debated over indefinitely. In this case, the speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Eduardo Cunha, may bring the project for discussion at a regular plenary meeting.
Cunha pledged his support in accelerating the vote for the decision as much as possible.
Ideli Salvatti, head of the Human Rights Secretariat of the Presidency, voiced her concern about the advancement of the bill. “If we don't work quickly enough, there's a real probability the Constitutional change passes,” said Salvatti, who argues lowering the age of criminal responsibility is a backward move.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Lower criminal responsibility age now debated in Congress
