Sérgio Moro: This is a fundamental guarantee not of the Parliamentarian, but of those he represents, because he needs to have the freedom to come here to the floor or the freedom, when exercising his parliamentary function, to be able to say what he thinks.
Sérgio Moro: He can, indeed, foster public debate, and by fostering public debate he can be vehement and may, at times, include harsh criticisms of authorities and institutions.
Everyone in this Chamber who knows me knows I am not a Parliamentarian given to insults or to bluster, but public debate must be preserved.
Sérgio Moro: And the Parliamentarian speaks on behalf of those he represents; he cannot come up to the floor in a straitjacket and face the risk of being prosecuted if he eventually makes criticisms or utters sharper words directed at other authorities or institutions.
Sérgio Moro: So, in this context, for us to consider greater procedural guarantees for Parliamentarians for—quote—"crimes of opinion", for example crimes against honor or any form of criminalization of a Parliamentarian's speech, is reasonable.