Alckmin Pledges to Lower Brazil's Criminal Responsibility Age to 16 for Heinous Crimes

Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin said on October 16 that the government would lower the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16 for heinous crimes. Speaking to journalists in Hortolândia, São Paulo, he cited homicide, robbery resulting in death, femicide and kidnapping followed by death. Alckmin said impunity encouraged criminal activity and pledged to reduce the threshold to 16. He was attending a meeting with mayors, former mayors and regional political leaders; his remarks described a proposed change rather than an enacted measure.