Brazil-Mercosur: New Decree Promulgates Agreement on Digital Signatures
On February 6, 2025, an agreement between Brazil and Mercosur, a South American trade bloc, entered into force recognizing the validity of digital signature certificates across borders. The Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Digital Signature Certificates gives accredited digital signatures the same legal and evidentiary value as handwritten signatures in the signatory nations, in accordance … Continue reading “Brazil-Mercosur: New Decree Promulgates Agreement on…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2025-05-02
Article
Brazil: Country Becomes a New Host of the Permanent Court of Arbitration
On January 8, 2025, an agreement entered into force enabling Brazil to become a host country of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). The PCA is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, that facilitates the resolution of international disputes. Under the agreement, Brazil will provide facilities and services for PCA proceedings.In August 2017, … Continue reading “Brazil: Country Becomes a New Host…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2025-04-24
Article
Brazil: New Decree Regulates the Use of Force by Police
On December 23, 2024, Brazil enacted Decree No. 12,341, which prescribes when and how police may use firearms and less-than-lethal weapons. The decree’s stated objective is to foster “effectiveness, openness, respect for professionals, and adherence to human rights.” (Art. 1.)The purpose of Decree No. 12.341 is to enhance the effectiveness of Law No. 13,060, of December … Continue reading “Brazil: New Decree Regulates the…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2025-04-09
Article
Brazil: New Law Prohibits Cell Phone Use in Schools
On January 13, 2025, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law a bill to regulate students’ use of personal portable electronic devices, including cell phones, in public and private schools. (Law No. 15,100 of January 13, 2025.) The law came into force upon its publication in the January 14 edition of Brazil’s official … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Prohibits Cell Phone…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2025-02-13
Article
Brazil: Federal Supreme Court Signs Agreement with Digital Media Platforms to Combat Misinformation
On June 6, 2024, representatives of digital media platforms (YouTube, Google, Meta, TikTok, Microsoft and Kwai) signed an agreement with the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal, STF) to join the court’s program to combat misinformation regarding the court, its members, and the judiciary.The program to combat such misinformation was created by a resolution … Continue reading “Brazil: Federal Supreme Court Signs Agreement…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2024-06-19
Article
Brazil: Federal Supreme Court Rules That Armed Forces Are Not a ‘Moderating Power’ Between Branches of Government
On April 8, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil, by unanimous decision, ruled that the Brazilian Constitution does not allow the Armed Forces to play the role of “moderating power” between the executive, legislative, and judiciary powers in the country. The decision was in response to a Direct Unconstitutionality Action (Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade … Continue reading “Brazil: Federal Supreme Court Rules That…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2024-04-25
Article
Brazil: Rights of Children and Adolescents in Digital Environments Regulated
On April 5, 2024, Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship enacted Resolution No. 245, which provides for the rights of children and adolescents in digital environments. The resolution aims to address the risks of violations, exploitation, and abuse to which children are exposed through their use of digital technology. (Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e … Continue reading “Brazil: Rights of Children and Adolescents…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2024-04-14
Article
Brazil: Bullying and Cyberbullying Criminalized
In recent years, Brazil has recorded a high number of cyberbullying cases compared to other countries around the globe. In 2018, a Brazilian technology and science news outlet reported that according to a survey, Brazil had the second highest number of cyberbullying cases in the world. In a study conducted between January 2022 and May … Continue reading “Brazil: Bullying and Cyberbullying Criminalized”
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2024-01-28
Article
Brazil: New Law Grants Special Pension to Children or Adolescents Orphaned due to Femicide
On October 31, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law legislation that creates a special pension for children and dependents under 18 years of age who have been orphaned due to the crime of femicide, as defined in article 121(§ 2)(VI) of Brazil’s Penal Code (Código Penal, Decreto-Lei No. 2.848, de … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Grants Special Pension…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-11-29
Article
Brazil: Tax Rates for Purchase of Firearms and Ammunition Increased
On October 31, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promulgated Decree No. 11,764 of October 31, 2023 (Decreto No. 11.764, de 31 de Outubro de 2023), which changes the rates of the Tax on Industrial Products (Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados, IPI). The Tax on Industrial Products rates are contained in the Tax Incidence … Continue reading “Brazil: Tax Rates for Purchase of…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-11-20
Article
Brazil: New Decree Defines Competence of Regulatory Body for Crypto Assets
On June 13, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promulgated Decreto No. 11.563, de 13 de Junho de 2023 (Decree No. 11,563), which, in accordance with Lei No. 14.478, de 21 de Dezembro de 2022 (Law No. 14,478), establishes the competence of the Central Bank of Brazil (the equivalent to the U.S. Federal … Continue reading “Brazil: New Decree Defines Competence of…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-06-28
Article
Brazil: Brazil and Portugal Sign Memorandum on Economic Cooperation
On April 24, 2023, Brazil and Portugal signed an economic cooperation agreement that covers topics such as economic cooperation in the markets of the countries of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (Comunidade de Países de Língua Portuguesa, CPLP), development and internationalization of startups, and promotion of small and medium-sized companies. The memorandum was signed … Continue reading “Brazil: Brazil and Portugal Sign Memorandum…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-05-24
Article
Brazil: Federal Council of Medicine Prohibits Use of Anabolic Steroids for Aesthetic Purposes
On April 11, 2023, the Federal Council of Medicine published Resolution CFM No. 2,333/2023 (Resolução CFM 2.333/2023), which prohibits the medical prescription of hormonal therapies using androgenic and anabolic steroids (esteroides androgênicos e anabolizantes, EAA) to amateur or professional athletes for aesthetic purposes or to gain muscle mass or improve sports performance. The prohibition was … Continue reading “Brazil: Federal Council of Medicine Prohibits…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-05-17
Article
Brazil: New Law Creates Program to Prevent and Combat Sexual Crimes in the Public Administration
On April 3, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Law No. 14,540 (Lei No. 14.540, de 3 de Abril de 2023), which created a program to prevent and combat sexual harassment and other crimes within the scope of the public federal, state, district, and municipal administration. The program applies to all private … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Creates Program to…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-05-14
Article
Brazil: National Health Surveillance Agency Updates Its Guidelines on Use of Masks
On April 3, 2023, the Brazilian National Health Regulatory Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária, ANVISA), updated its technical note (ANVISA – Nota Técnica GVIMS/GGTES/ANVISA No. 04/2020) that established guidelines for health services on measures to prevent and control Covid-19 while providing assistance to persons with confirmed or suspected cases of the disease.One of the … Continue reading “Brazil: National Health Surveillance Agency Updates…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-05-10
Article
Brazil: New Law Creates Specialized Police Stations for Women
On April 3, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Law No. 14,541 of April 3, 2023, which provides for the creation and uninterrupted operation of specialized police stations for women (Delegacias Especializadas de Atendimento à Mulher). The law entered into force upon its publication in the official gazette the following day.In addition … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Creates Specialized Police…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-04-28
Article
Brazil: Special Imprisonment for People with Higher Education Declared Unconstitutional
On March 31, 2023, the plenary of the Brazilian Federal Supreme Court declared that the provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure that grants the right to special imprisonment to people with a higher education diploma until a final criminal decision is made is not compatible with the Federal Constitution.In the virtual session, the collegiate … Continue reading “Brazil: Special Imprisonment for People with…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-04-27
Article
Brazil: New Law Regulates Cryptocurrency
On December 21, 2022, Law No. 14,478 (Lei No. 14.478, de 21 de Dezembro de 2022) regulating virtual asset services in Brazil was promulgated by then President Jair Bolsonaro. The new law provides for guidelines to be observed in the provision of virtual asset services and in the regulation of virtual asset service providers. It … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Regulates Cryptocurrency”
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-01-31
Article
Brazil: Newly Elected President Enacts Four Provisional Measures and 52 Presidential Decrees
On his first day as the new president of Brazil on January 1, 2023, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enacted four provisional measures and 52 presidential decrees, which establish the new structure of the new federal administration and its 37 ministries.Provisional MeasuresAmong the new provisional measures are the following: Medida Provisória (MP) (Provisional Measure) No. … Continue reading “Brazil: Newly Elected President Enacts Four…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-01-16
Article
Brazil: President Decrees Federal Intervention in Federal District after Attacks on Government Institutions and Buildings
On January 8, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva enacted Decree No. 11,377 ordering federal intervention in the Federal District until January 31, 2023. (Decree No. 11,377, art. 1.) The intervention is limited to maintaining public safety in accordance with article 117-A of the Organic Law of the Federal District. (Art. 1(§ 1).) … Continue reading “Brazil: President Decrees Federal Intervention in…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-01-12
Article
Brazil: Federal Supreme Court Removes Governor of the Federal District for 90 Days
On January 8, 2023, Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Federal Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal, STF), removed the governor of the Federal District (Distrito Federal, DF), Ibaneis Rocha, from his position for an initial period of 90 days. (Full request and decision Inquérito 4.879 Distrito Federal.)The decision to remove the governor was in response … Continue reading “Brazil: Federal Supreme Court Removes Governor…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-01-12
Article
Brazil: New Program Created to Combat Sexual Harassment in Education System
On October 27, 2022, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro adopted Provisional Measure No. 1,140, which creates a program for preventing and combating sexual harassment within the scope of Brazil’s federal, state, municipal, and district education systems, both public and private. (Medida Provisória No. 1.140, de 27 de Outubro de 2022, arts. 1, 2). Article 3 of … Continue reading “Brazil: New Program Created to Combat…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2022-12-08
Article
Brazil: Superior Electoral Tribunal Enacts Resolution to Combat Fake News During 2022 General Elections
On October 20, 2022, the Superior Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, TSE) unanimously passed a resolution on fighting misinformation that compromises the integrity of the electoral process in Brazil. The resolution furthers previous efforts by the TSE and the Federal Police to combat fake news during the 2022 general elections, the second round of which … Continue reading “Brazil: Superior Electoral Tribunal Enacts Resolution…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2022-10-25
Article
Brazil: President of Superior Electoral Tribunal Warns Employers That Electoral Harassment Is a Crime
On October 13, 2022, during a plenary session at the Superior Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Superior Eleitoral, TSE), the president of the TSE, Minister Alexandre de Moraes, warned that employers who are subjecting their employees to electoral harassment by coercing, threatening, or promising them benefits in order to influence how they vote in the second round … Continue reading “Brazil: President of Superior Electoral Tribunal…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2022-10-19
Article
Brazil: New Law Amends Family Planning Law
On September 2, 2022, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro promulgated Law No. 14,443, which determines the deadline for providing contraceptive methods and techniques and regulates conditions for sterilization within the scope of family planning. (Law No. 14,443 of September 2, 2022, amending Law No. 9,623 of January 12, 1996, regulating Federal Constitution art. 226(§ 7).)Law No. … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Amends Family Planning…
