Criminal defense attorney Christiano Fragoso—a partner at Fragoso Advogados and a Criminal Law professor at UERJ—gave a lecture titled “Authoritarianism and the Penal System” on May 23, 2024, via the Academic League of Criminal Sciences (LACC) channel at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). Christiano shared the story of his grandfather, Heleno Cláudio Fragoso—one of the country’s most prominent criminal lawyers, a vice-president of the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), and a defender of political prisoners during the military regime. He highlighted the personal hardships faced and the work undertaken in defense of human rights and victims of oppression.
The lecture addressed the topic of “Authoritarianism and the Penal System.” The expert discussed how the penal system can be used as an authoritarian tool, as well as abuses of power and the ideological influences that shape penal policies. He emphasized the need to protect individual rights and criticized the excessive belief in the efficacy of punishments.
Christiano also addressed the importance of an independent judiciary and legal safeguards to prevent abuses. He further discussed the role of the media and public opinion in shaping an authoritarian mindset, as well as the need to critically evaluate these influences to ensure a fair and democratic penal system.
*Christiano Fragoso joins at 05:02.
