Government proposes 18 modifications to the new Penal Code and maintains sanctions for crimes against honor

Santo Domingo. The Senate of the Republic received this Friday a package of 18 proposals to amend the new Penal Code bill, prepared by President Luis Abinader’s team, with the purpose of introducing changes before the final approval of the regulation.

Among the observations presented, one that has generated the most attention is the one related to crimes linked to freedom of expression. Although different sectors had requested the elimination of criminal penalties in these cases, the Executive Branch’s proposal maintains that punishment regime.

The initiative retains the provisions that criminally sanction conduct considered to be an attack on honor, despite the fact that organizations such as the Dominican Society of Newspapers (SDD) had advocated for their elimination and for moving those conflicts exclusively to the civil sphere.

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In addition to this aspect, the 18 proposals include adjustments to other criminal classifications and seek to refine various articles of the bill currently being studied by the National Congress.

The modifications will be known to legislators during the review process of the Penal Code, one of the legislative initiatives with the greatest impact and debate in the country due to the changes it introduces regarding criminal justice and fundamental rights.