Argentina moves to tighten penalties for femicide cover‑ups and masked protestors

Deputy Guillermo Michel (Union for the Homeland) presented a bill to amend Argentina’s Penal Code by removing the so‑called “family‑excuse” that shields relatives and close acquaintances from criminal liability in femicide and gender‑based violence cases. The proposal would make it punishable to hide evidence, destroy proof, alter a crime scene or provide false information to protect the offender. Michel stressed that the aim is not to force denunciations but to penalise concrete acts that obstruct investigations.

In a separate initiative, the Chamber’s Security Committee approved a bill commonly dubbed the “anti‑encapuchados” law. The draft criminalises the deliberate concealment of identity with masks, hoods or makeup during mass gatherings or public events when there is no legitimate reason, carrying a minimum prison term of 61 to 540 days. An aggravating clause raises the penalty if the concealment is used to facilitate another crime. The measure passed 7‑4, with critics warning it is overly broad and may infringe fundamental rights. The committee set June 15 as the deadline for further comments.

Both proposals seek to broaden criminal responsibility in contexts of gender‑based violence and public disorder, reflecting a broader legislative push to tighten Argentina’s penal framework.