Brazil’s Lower House Passes Bill to Reduce Sentences for “Anti-Democratic Acts”

On Wednesday morning, Brazil’s lower house of parliament approved a bill aimed at reducing sentences for individuals convicted of “anti-democratic acts.” This legislation could significantly lessen the prison term of former conservative president Jair Bolsonaro.

According to Paulinho da Forsa, a lawmaker from the centrist Solidarity Party and the bill’s author, Mr. Bolsonaro’s original 27-year sentence might be cut down to only “two years.”

The Dosimetry Bill is designed to alter how sentences are calculated for those involved in the January 8, 2023, protests and related trials against Bolsonaro. It’s presented as an alternative to a more comprehensive “full amnesty” proposal suggested earlier this year by Bolsonaro’s Liberal Party. Proponents believe that the Dosimetry Bill has a better chance of passing in the House of Representatives than the broader amnesty plan.

The bill garnered 291 votes in favor and 148 against after a lengthy three-hour debate that began on Tuesday night and stretched into early Wednesday.

Initially, the discussion was postponed due to outbursts from Glauber Braga, a leftist lawmaker from the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL). In protest against the bill and Speaker Hugo Motta’s decision on unrelated impeachment discussions, Braga and others disrupted proceedings, leading to his removal by legislative police.

This new legislation modifies how penalties are assessed for collective crimes that occurred during the January 8 riots, which led to considerable property damage but did not result in fatalities.

The specifics of the penalties under the bill have yet to be finalized. However, the proposed changes suggest that only the most serious crime’s punishment would count, with additional time added for less severe crimes, potentially totaling between one-sixth to half of the original sentence length.

In September, Brazil’s highest court, the Supreme Federal Court (STF), found Bolsonaro guilty of various charges, including attempting to violently undermine democratic governance, and sentenced him to 27 years and three months in prison. He is currently incarcerated.

The STF claims Bolsonaro plotted to instigate a coup to reverse the results of the closely contested 2022 presidential election, which he lost to current president Lula, who is in his third term and hints at running again next year.

Da Forsa mentioned that the bill would “consolidate” the penalties Bolsonaro faced for his coup attempt, giving priority to those charges due to their severity.

If the legislation advances, Bolsonaro could see his time in prison reduced to two years and four months, although any reduction would ultimately depend on how the STF interprets this new bill and his behavior in prison.

“The framework I’ve designed considers Bolsonaro, but it doesn’t entirely resolve his situation,” Da Forsa remarked, clarifying that under his bill, Bolsonaro’s time could move from 27 years and 3 months to 2 years and 4 months.

The bill is set to face discussion in the Senate soon, with Brazilian Senate President Davi Alcolumbre stating that a vote could happen in 2025 after it clears the House.

Reports indicate that President Lula is contemplating a veto against the bill, having expressed intention to oppose it in the House of Representatives. While Lula hadn’t made an official commentary at that moment, sources suggest he has shown discontent with Speaker Motta’s management of the House.

Notably, despite a recommendation from members of Lula’s ruling Labor Party to reject the bill, 122 MPs from other parties in the ruling coalition supported it.

Currently, Bolsonaro, aged 70, is expected to serve his full sentence unless this bill advances. His lawyers have recently filed requests for medical procedures, including surgeries to address ongoing health issues linked to a past assassination attempt.

In addition to seeking medical attention, there is a push for house arrest privileges due to Bolsonaro’s recent skin cancer diagnosis, although previous appeals for such leniency have been denied.