Lower liability age bill voted down by Chamber of Deputies
The plenary rejected the constitutional amendment bill by 303 votes in favor and 184 against – the supermajority requirement was 308 favorable votes
The Chamber of Deputies has voted down a constitutional amendment bill (PEC) to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16 years old in Brazil. In the early hours of Wednesday (July 1st), the plenary rejected it by 303 votes in favor and 184 against – the supermajority requirement was 308 favorable votes.
The voting, regarded as historic, began shortly after midnight. The draft contained a restriction to apply only to serious crimes regarded as “heinous” under Brazilian law, such as rape, robbery resulting in death, aggravated murder, and aggravated battery. But since it was a substitution amendment, the plenary should still vote the original bill applying the lower age threshold to all crimes.
In a session marked by mixed views, more than 20 deputies took turns to speak out arguing for or criticizing the amended bill reported on June 17 by a special commission on the issue.
The government was opposed to the amendment and alternatively proposed changing the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA) to extend the length of juvenile correction stays for teenagers who commit serious crimes, in addition to tougher penalties for adults who lure minors into crime.
The protests were joined by student organizations, trade unions, and social movement.
As the results came out, protesters opposed to the measure cheered and sang the national anthem. The protests were joined by student organizations, trade unions, and social movements.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Lower liability age bill voted down by Chamber of Deputies
