In Brazil, members of the Public Ministry are mobilizing to urge President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to veto a specific article from a newly passed antifaction law. This article proposes the elimination of jury trials for homicides committed by ultra-violent criminal organizations, paramilitary groups, or private militias. Advocates for the veto argue that the article undermines the principle of natural juries, which are traditionally responsible for adjudicating homicide cases.

Paulo Sergio de Oliveira e Costa, the Attorney General of São Paulo, publicly voiced his support for the veto in a video posted on social media, emphasizing that jury trials have historically been strict in such cases, with conviction rates in São Paulo exceeding 82%. He underscored the importance of maintaining the jury system as a safeguard against potential misuse of power against individuals by the state in severe crime cases.

This legislative move comes in response to concerns over the increasing power of organized crime in Brazil, with the aim of enforcing stricter measures against such entities. However, the proposed changes raise significant questions regarding civil rights and the judicial process, as removing jury trials could deny individuals their right to a trial by peers, which is a cornerstone of Brazilian legal principles.