The Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defence sanctioned on Wednesday (14) the text of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters signed in 2005 by governments members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLC). The agreement had already been sanctioned in 2009, but the government verified the absence of four articles in the text (Legislative Decree 175/09).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Celso Amorim, such articles provide for the process of signature and enforcement of the agreement, its connection with other conventions and agreements, whistle blowing and notifications on the criminal issue.

The convention provides mutual help among the CPLC in reporting information, procedural acts and other public acts related to criminal matters. The exchange of information will also comprise acts required to loss, seizure or recovery of properties or products of crime.

The text’s Rapporteur in the Committee of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Renato Amary (PSDB-SP), submitted an opinion for the approval.

The CPLC is comprised of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, San-Tome and Principe, and East Timor.

The text was sent by the Executive Branch as Message 154/10 and will transact as Proposal to Legislative Decree. This project will be voted by the Committee on the Constitution and Justice and Citizenship (CCJ) and by the Floor.

Translation – SP Language/Grupo Solucion – Thiago de Lira Capatti