# Law No. 2706 of January 10, 1956

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105649444](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105649444)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-2706-of-january-10-1956

## Summary
**Law No. 2706 of January 10, 1956** is a Brazilian statute that extends the state of siege (martial law) previously decreed on December 23, 1955. Promulgated by President Nereu Ramos, it applies to the national territory of Brazil. The law is written in Brazilian Portuguese and is legally cited as Lei nº 2706/1956.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 2706, de 10 de janeiro de 1956
- **Type of Instrument:** Statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Date of Publication:** January 10, 1956
- **Promulgating Authority:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil
- **Approving Official:** Nereu Ramos (President)
- **Jurisdiction:** Brazil (specifically stated as applying to "Territorio Nacional")
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Digest/Subject:** Maintains Decree 038402 of December 23, 1955, which prorogues (extends) the State of Siege
- **Main Subject:** State territory and prorogation (extension)
- **Location of Publication:** Rio de Janeiro
- **Lexml Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-01-10;2706
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 2706/1956
- **Wikidata Description:** Brazilian law
- **Official URL:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2706.htm
- **WikiProject:** On the focus list of WikiProject Brazilian Laws

## FAQs
**What is the purpose of Law No. 2706/1956?**
This law serves to maintain and extend the state of siege (martial law) that was initially decreed on December 23, 1955. It functions as a prorogation, continuing the exceptional legal measures over Brazilian national territory.

**Who approved and enacted this law?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil and promulgated by President Nereu Ramos on January 10, 1956.

**Where can the official text of this law be found?**
The official text is accessible via the Planalto government website at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2706.htm and is identified in the Brazilian legal system with the URN: urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-01-10;2706.

**What is the legal classification of this document?**
It is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. As a subclass of written work, document, and rule, it represents the concrete manifestation of statutory law in Brazil.

**Is this law copyrighted?**
As a government edict and official legal document, it falls under the public domain in many jurisdictions based on the edict of government doctrine, ensuring public accessibility.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 2706 of January 10, 1956, is significant as it reflects the political climate of Brazil in the mid-1950s, a period marked by political instability and the use of exceptional constitutional measures like the state of siege. By extending the state of siege initially declared in late 1955, this law provides historical insight into the government's approach to maintaining order and governance during that era. It also exemplifies the functioning of Brazil's legal system in times of crisis, demonstrating how statutory law is used to formalize and extend emergency powers. For legal scholars and historians, this statute serves as a primary source document for studying Brazil's constitutional history and the use of executive power. Its classification as a statute underscores its role in the broader framework of Brazilian statutory law.

## Notable For
- **Extension of Emergency Powers:** Specifically maintains the state of siege decreed in December 1955.
- **Promulgation During Political Transition:** Enacted under the presidency of Nereu Ramos, who led Brazil during a volatile period.
- **Public Accessibility:** Freely available online through official government portals and in the public domain.
- **Legal Standardization:** Uses a standardized Lexml URN for identification within Brazil's digital legal infrastructure.
- **Statutory Classification:** A clear example of a Brazilian statute, a foundational legal instrument.
- **Focus of WikiProject:** Recognized as a subject of focus for WikiProject Brazilian Laws, highlighting its relevance for structured knowledge curation.

## Body

### Historical and Political Context
Law No. 2706 was promulgated on January 10, 1956, during a period of political uncertainty in Brazil. The law's primary function was to maintain Decree 038402, issued on December 23, 1955. This decree had established a state of siege (martial law), and Law 2706 acted as its prorogation, extending these exceptional measures. The law was enacted under the authority of President Nereu Ramos, who served as the head of state and government, exercising executive power through this statutory instrument.

### Legal Definition and Function
This instrument is formally classified as a **statute**. In legal terminology, a statute is a formal written document that creates law. It is a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule," serving as the concrete manifestation of statutory law. Law 2706 fits this definition as it is an official, written legislative act that creates or maintains legal norms—in this case, the extension of a state of siege over the national territory.

### Subject Matter and Application
The law's main subjects are explicitly defined as "state territory" and "prorogation." It applies to the entire national territory of Brazil (Territorio Nacional), ensuring the continued enforcement of the state of siege throughout the country. The law's digest, or summary, clearly states its purpose: to "maintain" the previous decree that prorogues the state of siege.

### Official Identifiers and Publication
Law No. 2706 has several key identifiers and publication details:
-   **Full Title:** Lei nº 2706, de 10 de janeiro de 1956
-   **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 2706/1956
-   **Lexml URN:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-01-10;2706
-   **Publication Place:** Rio de Janeiro, which was a significant administrative center at the time.
-   **Official URL:** The text is hosted digitally at https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1950-1969/l2706.htm.

### Governmental Authority and Approval
The law was approved by the **Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil**. The promulgation, or the formal act of proclaiming the law, was performed by **Nereu Ramos**. This process is a key example of the legal act caused by legislation, where a bill becomes a binding statute through the authority of the head of state.

### Digital and Knowledge Base Representation
This law is integrated into modern knowledge systems. It is included in the **WikiProject Brazilian Laws**, indicating its status as a focus area for structured knowledge curation on Wikimedia projects. Its official URN conforms to the Lexml standard, which is used for identifying legal documents in Brazil. This digital presence ensures that the law remains accessible for legal research and historical analysis.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1956-01-10;2706)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=2706&ano=1956&data=10/01/1956&ato=a2aQza610dNRVT2c3)
3. LexML Brasil