Nationwide Protests Confront Brazil’s Sentencing Bill as Senate Sets Rapid Review

Overview

• Thousands rallied on December 14 in dozens of cities, with marches in Brasília and mass events on Rio’s Copacabana beach and São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue under the slogan “Sem anistia.”
• Demonstrators targeted Congress and Chamber President Hugo Motta, accusing lawmakers of advancing a measure they call a disguised amnesty for January 8 convicts.
• The bill, approved by the Chamber on December 10, bars stacking penalties for coup‑related crimes and speeds prison‑regime progression to one‑sixth of a sentence, reversing current STF practice.
• Relator Paulinho da Força’s estimates indicate Jair Bolsonaro’s 27‑year, 3‑month sentence could fall to about 20 years, with roughly 2 years and 4 months in a closed regime.
• The Senate CCJ will take up the proposal on December 17 under relator Esperidião Amin, with leaders seeking a quick floor vote and Lula’s aides warning of a possible veto if it eases penalties for coup planners.