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Opposition Targets Lula Decree on Rights Defenders, Claiming It Could Shield the MST

Operational rules will be set by a joint ordinance within 30 days, leaving security measures undefined.

Overview

  • Decree 12.710/2025, published on November 5, creates a national plan that extends protection to individuals and groups, including “defenders of the countryside” and family farmers.
  • The Justice Ministry is assigned to support the security of rights defenders through public security and police intelligence, but the text does not authorize automatic police escorts.
  • Senator Tereza Cristina filed a legislative-decree proposal on November 11 to suspend the measure as ruralist lawmakers contend it could benefit the MST.
  • Santa Catarina governor Jorginho Mello posted a video on November 14 mocking what he alleges would be police protection for land invaders.
  • Execution details, multi-level financing, and oversight by a government–civil society committee will be defined by a joint ordinance due by December 5, and one outlet reports the MST took part in drafting.