How Brazil’s Congress wants to help Temer and Lula avoid prison

On Wednesday, the Brazilian House’s Justice Committee approved a bill to revoke legal privileges enjoyed by politicians at the federal level – the so-called “foro privilegiado.” According to this legal instrument, which was created in 1988, members of all branches of the federal government can only be prosecuted and tried by the Supreme Court. It was meant to protect representatives from abuses, but has since become a loophole for impunity.

News that Brazil’s Congress has begun to analyze a bill ending this privilege might be considered long overdue – but not so fast. The government has started to negotiate an amendment to extend those rights to former presidents.

The change will benefit four men:...