Justice Minister Fernando Rabat announced the suspension of the processing of decrees that reduce sentences for people convicted of sex offenses against minors, according to T13. The minister added that the government would pursue a series of legislative measures on the issue.
The announcement comes amid controversy surrounding the government. It stemmed from the authorization of sentence reductions for people convicted of sex offenses against children and adolescents. The source does not specify how many decrees are involved or how many convicted offenders would be affected.
According to T13, the initiatives seek to prevent these convicted offenders from continuing to receive prison benefits. Rabat specified the focus: they will address the problem by "promoting and fast-tracking a series of bills to prevent these benefits from continuing to be granted to people convicted before 2022".
The reference to 2022 concerns a specific group of convicted offenders, those sentenced before that year. T13's report does not explain why the government set that cutoff or which rules currently apply to them. Nor does it identify the bills that will be fast-tracked.
The minister defended the suspension as a temporary measure. "In the meantime, we will suspend the processing of these decrees," he said. According to Rabat, immediate consideration of the initiatives will allow the situation to be resolved quickly and reassure the public.
The political calculation is clear. The executive branch seeks to limit the political cost of a decision that prompted opposition and shift the solution to Congress. However, success depends on the legislative timetable, which the minister did not specify.
The next concrete step is for the government to fast-track the announced bills. Until Congress passes them, the sentence reduction decrees will remain suspended, according to T13.
