Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has signed a new crime-fighting law that tightens measures to curb a rampant wave of fatal crime. However, Bolsonaro vetoed some parts of the law.
The package, approved by the Brazilian Senate earlier this month, toughens laws to combat corruption, organized crime, and violent crime committed by criminal gangs. In some cases, sentencing is simplified. The law was a promise by Bolsonaro, who came to power last year because of his campaign to end corruption and the escalating violent crime.
Brazil has the highest number of murders worldwide. "The final text, which has been approved by the President, is making progress in the country's fight against crime," Justice Minister Sergio Moro said in a statement on Wednesday. Moro is a former judge who has made a name for himself over the past five years by investigating Operation Car Wash. He jailed parts of the Brazilian economic and political elite. Today's minister said Bolsonaro had adopted several vetos proposed by the Justice Department. This includes the provision to triple the sentence if a crime has been committed that has been announced on social networks.
The bill removes restrictions that genetic material can only be used in cases of willful offenses against life, sexual freedom, or sexual offenses. This will generally be permitted in the future. Bolsonaro, who continues to make a name for himself with law-and-order statements, received support from large sections of the Brazilians. They hope that the new law will break up drug gangs that terrorize large parts of the country.
