Brazil Strengthens Judicial Efforts to Combat Religious Intolerance and Promote Freedom
Brazil's National Justice Council convenes religious leaders to update policies and combat religious intolerance, emphasizing protection for African matrix communities.
- • CNJ held sessions with religious leaders to update judicial policies on religious freedom.
- • Religious racism is punishable by one to three years in prison under Brazilian law.
- • African matrix religious communities report ongoing violence and discrimination.
- • Workshops aim to strengthen judicial responses and combat institutional Christianocentrism.
Key details
The National Justice Council (CNJ) in Brazil has launched an initiative aimed at bolstering religious freedom and combating religious intolerance within the judiciary. From September 17 to 18, qualitative listening sessions and workshops were held in Salvador, gathering around 40 religious leaders from various states to discuss updates to the Policy of Religious Freedom and Combatting Intolerance. This event, supported by the Bahia Court of Justice and the Bahia Public Ministry, focused on addressing ongoing violence and discrimination, especially against African matrix religious communities such as candomblé.
Religious racism is recognized as a crime under Brazilian law, punishable by imprisonment of one to three years. CNJ Secretary-General Clara Mota emphasized that religious racism is a deeply rooted form of racial violence that often remains invisible in society. Prosecutor João Paulo Santos Schoucair highlighted the state's responsibility to protect traditional African matrix peoples, noting the pioneering work of the Bahia Public Ministry's specialized prosecution office for racism and human rights.
Religious leaders like Yá Márcia de Ogum from Ilê Axé Ẹwá Ọlodumare expressed that despite legal protections, their communities continue to face disrespect and aggression, underscoring the importance of CNJ's efforts. The workshops facilitated proposals to strengthen rights and improve judicial policies, intending to combat institutional Christianocentrism and promote religious pluralism. The initiative is part of the CNJ's Justice Plural Program, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, reflecting recognition of Bahia's cultural resistance and significance in Brazil's religious landscape.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
