L’histoire devant les tribunaux : la notion d’esclavage contemporain dans les décisions judiciaires brésiliennes

Abstract

This article argues that the juridical interpretation of the crime of reducing someone to a condition analogous to slavery is significantly influenced by historical considerations manifested by judges and other jurists charged with applying Article 149 of the Brazilian Penal Code. To demonstrate that finding, the author examines 107 criminal appeals, the accusations of which were based on Article 149 of the Criminal Code, filed before the Federal Regional Courts after November 30, 2006.

Keywords

• slave labor
• modern slavery
• history of slavery
• condition analogous to slavery
• federal justice
• Brazil