Find out more about the ups and downs of Bolsonaro’s arms policy
In eight months, the government has issued a series of decrees and has sent a bill of law to Congress
Formal signing of the decree on arms possession (Brasília - DF, 15/01/2019) President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro signs the decree. Photo: Alan Santos/PR
The policy of access to and use of arms in Brazil has probably never before undergone so many changes in such a short space of time. From 15 January to 21 August, President Jair Bolsonaro published eight decrees – some revoking previous ones – that were voted by the Senate and caused the Federal Supreme Court to speak out.
The chief of the executive has also sent an urgent bill of law on the same subject to the Congress.
The electoral platform of his candidacy has become one of the focal points of hundreds of orders issued by the president in the few months he has been in power.
It should be noted that, apart from Fernando Collor, Bolsonaro is the president who has issued the highest number of decrees in the first six months in the Planalto. By the 179th day of his first mandate (27 June), Bolsonaro had issued 236 decrees. This is 30.39% more than seen in Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s first government (181); 15.12% more than in Lula’s first mandate (205) and 184.34% more than Dilma in the same period (83). Between March and September Collor issued 351 acts.
“We have a president who seems to be prepared to do anything to satisfy his own wishes and personal interests, even if he has to override legislative procedures, democratic processes and jeopardise people’s safety to achieve this.” Said Jefferson Nascimento, Lawyer and Consultant at Conectas.
An official letter sent by Conectas and the Instituto Sou da Paz, on Tuesday 27 August, to a number of UN Special Rapporteurs is calling for the organisation to put pressure on the Brazilian government to comply with a series of international commitments made and explains the current situation and the validity of the government’s measures on this subject. See below:
Timeline: the ups and downs of arms policy
What is actually in place?
