Amid opposition doubts and civil society appeals to Orsi, Uruguay’s lower house weighs support for child violence bill

Uruguay’s lower house is moving toward a committee vote on a Broad Front bill that would toughen the legal framework against violence toward children, but disagreements over shared custody could determine whether it advances in the full chamber.

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In general, there is openness to trying it. I have noticed interest among the committee legislators in approving the bill. We should seek wording that is as beneficial as possible and achieves the broadest consensus.

The bill, drafted by Broad Front lawmaker Inés Cortés, covers violence in family settings as well as digital environments. It also repeals certain provisions of the shared-custody law passed during Luis Lacalle Pou’s presidency. The governing coalition holds a majority in the population and development committee, so the proposal is expected to clear that stage. It will need at least two opposition votes in the chamber as a whole.

Cortés said opposition legislators had shown an interest in moving forward, though she acknowledged the need for wording that attracts broad agreement. One lawmaker has already told her that he intends to support the measure, but she did not identify him. Fernanda Auersperg, a National Party lawmaker who chairs the committee, said the bill covered many issues and required detailed examination. She has previously described it as comprehensive, ambitious and necessary, but said doubts remain.

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It brings together many aspects.

The committee has sent the proposal to several bodies, including the University of the Republic’s institutes of family law and criminal law, for assessments of its provisions. It also heard from Abuelas sin Nietos, a group that objects mainly to the proposed changes involving shared custody. Members of the group recently approached President Yamandú Orsi during a government event in Florida to express concern about preserving children’s relationships with relatives. Cortés said the group had focused on shared-custody provisions that, in her view, the bill does not directly alter, except for changes linked to sections that had modified the Childhood and Adolescence Code.

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Comprehensive, ambitious and necessary.