Lula sanctions law that equates racial slurs to racism

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sanctioned on Wednesday (Jan. 11) a law approved by the National Congress that equates the crime of racial slurs to racism and increases penalties. The sanctioning solemnity took place during the swearing in ceremony, at the Planalto presidential palace, of ministers Sonia Guajajara (Ministry of Indigenous Peoples) and Anielle Franco (Ministry of Racial Equality).

Racial insult is now punishable by imprisonment from 2 to 5 years. Previously, the penalty ranged from 1 to 3 years. And it can be doubled if the crime is committed by two or more people. There will also be an increase in the penalty if the crime of racial slurs is committed at sports or cultural events and for humorous purposes.

The new legislation is in line with the understanding of the Federal Supreme Court that, in October of last year, equated racial insult to racism and, therefore, made insult, as well as racism, a non-bailable and imprescriptible crime.

Racial slurs are offenses against someone, an individual, because of race, color, ethnicity, or origin. Racism is when discrimination affects an entire community by, for example, preventing black people from taking on a job or entering an establishment because of the color of their skin.