Brazilian Congress pushes several bills to strengthen fight against organized crime

Two separate bills are moving through the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies that would tighten criminal law against organized crime. Deputy Laura Carneiro (PSD‑RJ) sponsors PL 205/26, which would add the principle of insignificance to the Penal Code, allowing judges to dismiss cases that meet low offensiveness, minimal reproachability, no social danger and negligible harm. The proposal also respects the Superior Court of Justice’s ruling that the principle cannot apply to crimes against public administration.

Deputy Guilherme Derrite (PP‑SP) sponsors PL 2301/26, which seeks to classify homicides, latrocínio, extortion, aggravated robbery and kidnapping committed by criminal organizations or private militias as heinous crimes, mandating initial imprisonment in closed regime and barring amnesty, pardon, clemency or bail.

In addition, the São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office will host a Brazil‑Italy conference on transnational organized crime, bringing together magistrates, police, legislators and academics to coordinate actions against groups such as the PCC and Comando Vermelho.

A new legal framework, Law 15.358, also raises a constitutional debate by removing jury jurisdiction over homicides linked to organized‑crime groups, arguing that juror safety could be jeopardised in territories dominated by armed gangs.

U.S. sanctions announced against alleged PCC and Comando Vermelho affiliates have sparked criticism that they may undermine Brazil’s investigative efforts and national sovereignty.