Politics · Brazil · 2 hrs ago
Brazilian senators agree to vote on lowering the age of criminal responsibility
Brazil’s Senate is expected to vote on lowering the age of criminal responsibility on Wednesday, November 4.
The issue was removed from a public security proposal that the Senate approved on Tuesday and will be handled separately.
Separating it allowed the security proposal to move forward without returning to the lower house for another vote.
Senators are divided over how far to lower the age: a government proposal would set it at 16 for heinous crimes, while the PL party proposes 16 for less serious crimes and 14 for heinous crimes.
The issue also divides the governing Workers’ Party, even though President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has backed lowering the age.
Some senators say a vote now could prevent the lower house from considering a more sweeping change next week.
Senator Marcos Rogério has also proposed raising the maximum period in youth detention from three to 10 years, while Senator Damares Alves says the debate should not be rushed.
Brazilian senators agreed to consider reducing the age of criminal responsibility in a separate proposal, rather than adding it to the Public Security amendment.
The Senate separated amendments on the issue from the Public Security proposal by 38 votes to 36 on November 3.
The separation allowed the Public Security proposal to pass without changes that would have sent it back to the Chamber of Deputies.
The separate amendments are expected to be considered by the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee.
Senators backing a change differ on the age threshold and which crimes it should cover, and the issue remains divisive within the Workers’ Party.
- Who
- Brazilian senators, including members of the government and opposition, are considering the change.
- What
- They agreed to consider reducing the age of criminal responsibility in a separate proposal. The Senate separated amendments on the issue from the Public Security proposal.
- When
- The amendments were separated on November 3, 2026. Senators planned to vote on the issue on November 4.
- Where
- Brazil’s Federal Senate.
- Why
- Separating the issue allowed the Public Security proposal to advance without returning to the Chamber of Deputies. Supporters also say the issue should be debated separately.
Government-aligned proposal supporters
PL proposal supporters
Minimum age and offences
Government-aligned proposal supporters
A government-aligned proposal would lower the age to 16 only for heinous crimes.
PL proposal supporters
The PL proposes lowering it to 16 for less serious crimes and to 14 for heinous crimes.
The Planalto began pursuing discussion of the issue in a separate constitutional amendment or alongside proposals already before the Chamber.
The Senate separated amendments on the age of criminal responsibility from the Public Security proposal by 38 votes to 36.
The Senate approved the Public Security proposal in two rounds without the age changes, and it proceeded for promulgation.
Senators planned to vote on the separate age proposal.
- Separation vote
- 38 to 36
- Government-aligned proposal
- Age 16 for heinous crimes
- PL proposal
- Age 16 for less serious crimes; age 14 for heinous crimes
- Proposed committee
- Senate Constitution and Justice Committee
- Youth detention proposal
- Increase the maximum period from 3 to 10 years
5 sources
PEC da Maioridade: comissão na Câmara quer votar texto neste mês
Governo e oposição fecham acordo para votar redução da maioridade penal, mas tema ainda divide PT
Relator apresenta parecer da PEC da Segurança sem redução da maioridade penal
PEC da Segurança Pública: por que a redução maioridade penal ficou fora do texto?
What people are saying
I think we need to give an urgent response, but we cannot put 15- or 16-year-olds in prisons alongside members of criminal factions.
I do not think the debate should be held in an accelerated, rushed way. Changes to the current system should be discussed first, as well as better preparation of the places where young people will be detained or held.