Punishment for crimes such as bodily harm and threat will be increased by 1/3; the text will be analyzed in an additional round by the CCJ
A CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) approved on Wednesday (May 15, 2024) a project that increases the penalties for crimes of bodily harm, crimes against honor, threats and contempt, when committed against a health professional.
The proposal by senator Margareth Buzetti (PSD-MT) received a favorable opinion from the rapporteur, senator Dr. Hiran (PP-RR). The text will still need to be analyzed in a supplementary round by the CCJ.
The PL (bill) 2,390 of 2022 amends the Penal Code (Decree-Law 2,848, of 1940). Currently, the crime of bodily harm carries a prison sentence of 3 months to 1 year. The crime of threat results in imprisonment of 1 to 6 months or a fine. Contempt of a public official in the exercise of his function, from 6 months to 2 years, or a fine.
The act of illegal restraint is punishable by imprisonment, from 3 months to 1 year, or a fine. Those convicted of crimes against honor (such as slander, exception to the truth, defamation and libel) receive a sentence of between 6 months and 3 years in prison.
For all these crimes, the penalty will be increased by 1/3 when committed against a health care professional, in the exercise of their profession or on behalf of it.
In the case of crimes against honor, these penalties are already increased if the crimes are committed against the president of Brazil or other countries, against a public official, against the Presidents of the Federal Senate, the Chamber of Deputies or the STF (Federal Supreme Court). ), against minors, the elderly or people with disabilities.
The penalty is also expanded if the crime is committed in the presence of several people.
At the CCJ meeting, the author of the project celebrated the approval of the text and stated that attacks on doctors occur mainly in the public health network.
The rapporteur also highlighted the performance of multidisciplinary health teams during the Covid pandemic and that they were the target of attacks in the course of their work.
“We need to protect these professionals who are in health units, in emergency rooms, and who are often the buffer for the difficulties that exist and are inherent to our health system”said Hiran.
In his report, the congressman stated that health professionals in general are “undervalued in their working conditions” and need to deal with the population “in circumstances of heightened spirits”. Therefore, he justified greater protection of criminal law for the category.
Once the approval of the project in a supplementary round is confirmed, the text will be sent for analysis by the Chamber of Deputies, if there is no appeal for voting in the Senate plenary.
With information from Senate Agency.
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