CCJ approves prohibiting land invaders from receiving government aid

The CCJ (Commission on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship) of the Chamber of Deputies approved this Tuesday (April 23, 2024) a bill that prevents property invaders from receiving or participating in government benefits, such as Bolsa Família and o My Home, My Life. The text was approved by 38 votes in favor, 8 against and one abstention. The expectation is to go to the plenary of the Lower House.

The proposal was proposed by the president of the CCJ, deputy Caroline de Toni (PL-SC), in response to the increase in occupations during the so-called “Red April” of the MST (Landless Rural Workers Movement). The movement carried out 31 invasions this month.

The project has only 2 articles and establishes that the conditions apply to those convicted of “crime of home invasion” or “possessory nonsense“, both determined in the Penal Code.

In addition to the ban on participating in government social programs, property invaders will not be able to register for public examinations and be appointed to public commissioned positions for 8 years after conviction.

The project’s rapporteur was deputy Ricardo Salles (PL-SP). The former Minister of the Environment during the government of Jair Bolsonaro (PL) has a history of activities against the landless cause in Congress. In 2023, he became the rapporteur of the CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) of the MST.

In the document, Salles called for the indictment of 11 people, including the leader of the FNL (Frente Nacional de Lutas Campo e Cidade), José Rainha.

The collegiate’s operating period ended without a vote on the final report due to a clash between government and opposition members.

This report was written by journalism intern Maria Laura Giuliani under the supervision of assistant editor Isadora Albernaz.