Brazil Advances Public Safety Legislation with 'Antifacção' Bill Hearing and PEC 18/25 Report Postponement

In early December 2025, significant legislative activity unfolded in Brazil concerning public safety reforms. On December 2, a public hearing on the 'Antifacção' bill took place in the Senate's Committee on Constitution and Justice, aiming to fortify laws against organized crime. Concurrently, the presentation of the report on the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) 18/25, focused on public security, was postponed to October 9 to allow extended discussions within the Chamber of Deputies.

The 'Antifacção' bill hearing featured prominent legal figures including Fernando da Silva Mattos, president of the Associação Paranaense do Ministério Público (APMP), Tarcísio Bonfim, president of the National Association of Public Prosecutors (CONAMP), and Georges Seigneur, president of the National Council of State and Federal Prosecutors (CNPG). Bonfim emphasized two crucial points: the need for enhanced financial mechanisms against organized crime through asset confiscation, and preserving the constitutional role of the Tribunal do Júri in homicide cases related to criminal factions. He highlighted that between 2020 and 2025, São Paulo’s Tribunal do Júri convicted perpetrators in 82% of such cases, underscoring its effectiveness.

Seigneur described organized crime as a national phenomenon that demands a coordinated state response with sophisticated surveillance and mitigation strategies to prevent criminal migration to less monitored regions. Both leaders stressed the importance of legislative collaboration to devise effective combat strategies and mentioned ongoing technical discussions, including meetings with Senator Alessandro Vieira, rapporteur of the bill.

Regarding PEC 18/25, rapporteur Mendonça Filho noted the delay in presenting the report to accommodate further dialogue with political leaders, reflecting the complex resistance the proposal faces in Parliament and among governors. Key points of contention relate to the proposed federal oversight role in devising the national public security plan, which states and the Federal District must follow. Though some experts critique the PEC as a modest reform, they acknowledge it as a foundational step towards more comprehensive public security policies.

Together, these developments highlight Brazil's active efforts in legislative arenas to strengthen public safety frameworks amidst challenges, aiming for integrated responses to organized crime and public security governance reforms.