The Law professor at FGV (Faculdade Getúlio Vargas), Oscar Vilhena Vieira, stated that Brazil is at the ideal time to implement significant reforms in the Brazilian judicial system.
In an interview with CNN BrazilVilhena analyzed those recently presented by the Judiciary and by the STF (Supreme Federal Court).
The expert highlighted that discussions on reforms go back long before the current one, mentioning that several institutions were already working on this issue. “The Brazilian Bar Association and the Fernando Henrique Cardoso Foundation, for example, have also been working intensely on discussing reform projects,” he explained.
Vilhena pointed out that there is a consensus on the fundamental deficiencies of Brazilian justice, including procedural delays, discrimination and integrity issues. “There are problems in Brazilian justice, such as delays, discrimination and other problems that are becoming more acute lately, such as integrity itself”, he stated.
Favorable political moment
The professor is optimistic about the fact that different political groups are now aware of the need for reforms in the Judiciary. According to him, while more right-wing parties had already anticipated criticisms of the courts — some considered pertinent by him, such as the reduction of monocratic decisions — now the PT has also included the reform of the Judiciary in its program.
“I welcome the fact that, within the court, another minister joins this rhetoric that he has to reform. And I also welcome the fact that the PT includes this in its program”, highlighted Vilhena, referring to minister Flávio Dino, who joined minister Edson Fachin in defending reforms.
By drawing a parallel with the tax reform, which only advanced when there was consensus between different political forces about its need, the professor expressed hope: “I would like to believe that we are, then, on the threshold of also making important reforms in Brazilian justice.”
