# Law No. 6683 of August 28, 1979

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q10316962](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10316962)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-6683-of-august-28-1979

## Summary
Law No. 6683 of August 28, 1979, commonly known as the Brazilian Amnesty Law, was enacted to grant amnesty for political crimes committed during Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964–1985). It pardoned both state agents and opposition figures, effectively preventing prosecutions for human rights abuses. The law remains controversial for institutionalizing impunity and is a focal point of debates about transitional justice in Brazil.

## Key Facts
- **Enactment Date:** August 28, 1979.
- **Sanctioned By:** President João Figueiredo during Brazil’s military regime.
- **Primary Purpose:** To amnesty political crimes, extinguishing liability for acts committed "for political reasons" between 1964 and 1979.
- **Scope:** Covered military personnel, politicians, and civilians involved in repression or resistance.
- **Controversy:** Criticized for shielding perpetrators of torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings from accountability.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 6683/1979.
- **Publication:** Diário Oficial da União (August 28, 1979, page 12265).
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to Brazil, including its states and territories.
- **Related Entities:** Ministry of Aeronautics, Brazilian Army, Federal Senate, and labor unions.
- **Legacy:** Remains in force but challenged by activists and international bodies like the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

## FAQs
**What is Law No. 6683 of 1979?**  
Law No. 6683, or the Amnesty Law, is a Brazilian statute enacted in 1979 to grant amnesty for political crimes committed during the military dictatorship. It barred prosecutions for human rights violations, affecting both regime opponents and state agents.

**Who benefited from the amnesty?**  
The law pardoned individuals prosecuted for "political reasons," including dissidents, guerrillas, and military personnel accused of torture or killings. It also reinstated civil servants and politicians removed during the regime.

**Why is the law controversial?**  
Critics argue it institutionalized impunity, preventing justice for victims of state violence. Supporters claim it facilitated Brazil’s transition to democracy by avoiding confrontation over past abuses.

**Did the law apply retroactively?**  
Yes, it covered acts committed between 1964 and 1979, effectively erasing legal consequences for crimes during the dictatorship.

**Has the law been challenged?**  
Yes, domestic and international courts have criticized the law. In 2010, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled it violated international law by obstructing justice for human rights violations.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 6683 is pivotal in understanding Brazil’s transition from military rule to democracy. By granting amnesty, it shaped the country’s approach to addressing past atrocities, prioritizing stability over accountability. The law’s endurance reflects broader societal tensions between forgetting and remembering state violence. Its legacy influences ongoing debates about historical memory, justice, and the rule of law in Brazil, with activists continuing to push for its repeal or revision to enable prosecutions.

## Notable For
- **First Amnesty Law:** Brazil’s primary legal instrument for addressing dictatorship-era crimes.
- **Controversial Legacy:** Symbolizes the "pact of silence" that maintained impunity for state violence.
- **Scope Exceptions:** Excluded common crimes unrelated to political motives, though critics argue this distinction was often ignored.
- **Ongoing Impact:** Continues to block investigations into disappearances and torture, despite regional court rulings.
- **Cultural Reference:** Featured in documentaries, films, and literature about Brazil’s dictatorship, such as *The Act of Killing* and *They Don’t Scare Us*.

## Body

### Historical Context
Enacted during the final years of Brazil’s military regime (1964–1985), Law No. 6683 was part of a controlled transition to civilian rule. President João Figueiredo sanctioned the law to quell opposition demands for amnesty while protecting military officials from prosecution. It followed similar amnesty laws in Argentina and Chile but uniquely applied to both victims and perpetrators.

### Key Provisions
- **Amnesty Coverage:** Extended to those punished for "political reasons," including imprisonment, exile, or loss of political rights.
- **Reinstatement:** Allowed former public officials and military personnel to reclaim positions or benefits.
- **Exceptions:** Excluded common crimes, though critics argue the military regime often classified abuses as "political" to shield perpetrators.
- **Application Process:** Required beneficiaries to petition the government, creating bureaucratic barriers for some victims.

### Controversy and Legacy
The law’s broad amnesty clause (Article 1) became a focal point of criticism:  
*"Concede anistia e dá outras providências"* ("Grants amnesty and provides other measures").  
Human rights groups, such as Amnesty International, condemn the law for enabling impunity. In 2010, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled in *Gomes Lund v. Brazil* that the law violated international obligations to investigate and prosecute human rights violations. Despite this, Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld the law’s validity in 2010, citing its role in stabilizing democracy.

### Legal and Political Impact
- **Domestic Jurisprudence:** Brazilian courts have consistently cited the law to dismiss cases against former military officials, such as the 1971 disappearance of guerrilla leader Vladimir Herzog.
- **International Pressure:** The United Nations and Organization of American States have urged Brazil to repeal the law, aligning with global norms against amnesty for serious human rights abuses.
- **Societal Divisions:** The law reflects enduring political rifts, with right-wing groups defending it as necessary for unity and left-wing advocates denouncing it as a "license to kill."

### Connected Entities
- **Military Institutions:** Applied to the Brazilian Army, Navy, and Air Force, shielding personnel from prosecution.
- **Political Figures:** Benefited politicians like Tancredo Neves, who regained rights after being persecuted by the regime.
- **Civil Society:** Directly impacted labor unions, student groups, and families of victims, such as the Mothers of the Disappeared.
- **Judicial Bodies:** Continues to influence rulings by the Supreme Federal Court and regional tribunals.

### Cultural and Academic Significance
The law is a central topic in Brazilian historiography, featured in works like *The Dictatorship Years* by Lilia Moritz Schwarcz. It is also a key reference in comparative studies of transitional justice, often contrasted with Argentina’s prosecution of junta leaders. Documentaries such as *A Lei da Anistia* (2019) analyze its societal impact, while museums like the Memorial da Democracia document its role in shaping collective memory.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1979-08-28;6683)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=6683&ano=1979&data=28/08/1979&ato=1efc3aU1EMrRVT810)
3. LexML Brasil