Organizations warn of risks of legislation that creates Bolsonaro’s “secret police”
Bill No. 1595 also adopts broad concept of terrorism and could lead to the criminalization of social movements
Brazilian President Bolsonaro May 7, 2020, Brasilia, DF, Brazil: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a video conference inauguration ceremony for Ministers Luos Roberto Barroso and Luiz Edson Fachin for the Superior Electoral Court at Planalto presidential palace May 25, 2020 in Brasilia, Brazil. Credit Image: Marcos Correa/President Brazil/Planet Pix via ZUMA Wire Brasilia DF Brazil *** Brazilian President Bolsonaro May 7, 2020, Brasilia, DF, Brazil Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro during a video conference inauguration ceremony for Ministers Luos Roberto Barroso and Luiz Edson Expert for the Superior Electoral Court at Planalto presidential palace May 25, 2020 in Brasilia, Brazil Credit Image Marcos Correa President Braz Poolfoto ZUMAPRESS.com ,EDITORIAL USE ONLY
In a technical statement released this Tuesday, civil society organizations said that Bill 1595/2019 poses a risk to Brazilian democracy. Drafted by Congressman Major Vitor Hugo, the bill creates a “secret police” for Bolsonaro, broadens the definition of the concept of terrorism and paves the way for the criminalization of social movements. Article 19, Greenpeace Brazil, ISA (Socioenvironmental Institute) and Conectas are some of the organizations that signed the document.
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Approved by a special committee of the Lower House of Congress in September this year, there is a request pending to fast track the bill through the house. The organizations classify the creation of Bolsonaro’s “political and secret police” as “one of the most dangerous bills against Brazilian democracy”, as it will give the president broad access to privileged information and private data on the entire population, and also threaten voices that oppose the government.
Furthermore, the statement reinforces that proposed legislation on topics related to fundamental freedoms need to be debated with the participation of civil society and other sectors of the population, which is not occurring in the case of Bill 1595. “The absence of this dialogue puts proposals at the risk of not being recognized as legitimate and, moreover, of posing new risks to social struggles and to dissenting voices,” reads the document.
