Brazil's top prosecutor defends security reform, citing cooperative federalism

Brazil's Attorney General Paulo Gonet has defended a proposed constitutional amendment on public security, highlighting its role in fostering a "cooperative federalism." Gonet argued that tackling organized crime necessitates coordinated action from various state bodies and that institutional "jealousy" should not impede effective crime fighting.

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The PEC of security is sometimes criticized by people who say that it would distort the model of federalism, but it is the opposite. It is a measure that allows the Union to coordinate the actions of the States for the protection of life, property, and public tranquility. Thus accentuating the cooperative character of federalism.

Speaking at the Fórum de Lisboa, Gonet stated that the Public Security PEC "accentuates the cooperative character of federalism." He drew parallels to international cooperation in combating criminal organizations, emphasizing the importance of information exchange between global police forces.

The proposal, sent to Congress by the Lula government in April of the previous year, seeks to enhance integration among Brazilian security forces across federal, state, district, and municipal levels. It has been a significant focus for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration in public security.

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Without the cooperation of all, without the interaction of all organs, the challenge of public security will be difficult to face. We must act without institutional jealousy preventing effectiveness in combating crime.

The PEC was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in March and has been awaiting progress in the Senate for three months. Key aspects of the Chamber's version include stricter penalties for gang members, safeguarding states from federal policy direction, constitutionalizing the National Public Security Fund and the National Penitentiary Fund, and establishing independent councils and policies for each federative entity.

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International legal cooperation is crucial for the Brazilian internal plan, so that we have information about how the factions are acting. The Federal Police has institutions like Interpol, Europol, where police forces from all over the world exchange information in real time.