Use of masks in protests may be banned in Brazil

The ban on wearing masks or any other objects which make personal identification more difficult was kept as part of the bill on public protests and demonstrations in the country. The bill is still under analysis at the National Congress.

The text, drafted by Deputy Efraim Filho, gathers elements from eight projects already under examination by Congress. It determines that public security agents are allowed to approach any citizen suspected of having committed a crime, harmed other people, damaged public property or carried a weapon. They  would be entitled to require citizens to show identification and hand over weapons, inflammable and explosive substances, or any other dangerous objects. The use of masks would only be allowed during celebrations, sports and cultural events, artistic and professional presentations.

The project is yet to be analyzed by three technical commissions before it is submitted to the Chamber of Deputies.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira