Humberto presents a bill against humiliating hazing.

Pernambuco 247 - In an attempt to put an end to the humiliating hazing practices carried out in higher education institutions across the country, the PT leader in the Senate, Humberto Costa (PE), presented a proposal this week that would make humiliating hazing a criminal offense.
The bill, which will be reviewed by senators and representatives and will then go to the President of the Republic for approval, provides for imprisonment of twenty days to two months or a fine of R$ 2 to R$ 10 for anyone who commits the act.

The text (PLS nº 117/2015) establishes that activities related to welcoming new students to higher education institutions are prohibited if they "violate their physical, moral, or psychological integrity; impose constraints on them; force them to perform vexatious or humiliating acts; or involve requests for donations of goods, money, or services from new students."

According to the bill, the institution that verifies the occurrence of the foreseen situations, even if they take place outside its premises, will be responsible for initiating disciplinary proceedings and notifying the competent police to initiate a police investigation.
Humberto explains that the disciplinary process will be governed by the institution's procedural rules, ensuring the right to a fair hearing and full defense, and may result in sanctions such as suspension for one to six months or expulsion.

"Before the start of the academic year, the university will have to form a committee made up of professors and students that will establish a calendar of activities and events aimed at welcoming new students," the parliamentarian states.
According to him, the proposal also stipulates that the activities will aim at integration into university life, as well as knowledge of the facilities, the operation of collective equipment, and the social services available at the educational institution. The entities will be required to carry out outreach and awareness campaigns.

The senator emphasizes that society has long demanded a legislative response to curb abusive student hazing, frequently seen in universities across the country. He points out that the Legislative Branch has, to this day, failed to produce legislation to regulate the issue.

According to the proposal, the Law of Minor Offenses will include the following article: "to coerce a student, under the guise of a welcome event at a university, college, academy, or other educational establishment of any kind, including military institutions, to perform a humiliating, vexatious act, contrary to good morals or harmful to their health, will be punishable by simple imprisonment or a fine."

*With information from the press office