Most Brazilians in favor of lowering age of criminal responsibility

Some 87 percent of Brazilians are in favor of lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16, according to a survey released Wednesday.

The survey published by Brazil's Datafolha Statistics Institute shows a clear majority of Brazilians agree with a proposed legal amendment put forward by the political opposition that is currently being debated in Congress. Opposition parties say the measure would help cut crime in Brazil.

The initiative would allow 16-year-olds to be tried as adults, instead of as juveniles, in a court of law.

In 2006, the same proposal was backed by 84 percent of those surveyed, showing support for the measure is growing.

Some 11 percent of those polled were against lowering the age of criminal responsibility, but 28 percent wanted the age lowered even further, to 13, according to Datafolha.

Of those in favor of lowering the age, 74 percent said it should apply to all types of crime committed.

A special committee was formed in the Chamber of Deputies to study the proposal, and 27 of its members say the age should be lowered to 17 or 16 for serious crimes, such as homicide, kidnapping and rape.

The ruling Workers' Party (PT) opposes the measure.