Political Boycott Lists in Paraná Under Investigation by the Federal Public Ministry

The circulation of lists with names of people, workers and commercial establishments that would be the target of boycotts for political positioning was now monitored by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF). The body requested clarifications from the Public Prosecutors of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul on the measures adopted to investigate possible cases of intimidation and discrimination after the elections.

The request was forwarded by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for Citizens’ Rights (PFDC), which opened an administrative procedure to monitor the problem in the southern region of the country.

According to the MPF survey, lists with names of individuals and companies are being shared on social networks and messaging applications. Among the targets are self-employed workers, liberal professionals and traders, pointed out by alleged political-party alignment.

The complaints also involve the exposure of discriminatory lists in commercial establishments, as well as incentives to economic boycotts and even requests for the dismissal of people for their political positions.

In Paraná, as well as in municipalities of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, episodes of public embarrassment and intimidation related to these practices were recorded.

MPF wants to know what measures were taken in Paraná

In the letters sent to the Attorneys General of the three states, the PFDC asks for information on the opening of investigations to identify those responsible for the creation and dissemination of the lists.

The body wants to know if factual news, civil investigations or criminal investigation procedures were instituted to ascertain the occurrences.

Information was also requested on possible public civil actions to repair collective moral damages and recommendations aimed at preventing discriminatory practices in commercial establishments and protecting those affected.

Another request is that evidence and conclusions of state investigations be shared with the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office. The material should contribute to the development of a national diagnosis of the problem.

PFDC says freedom of expression does not protect discrimination

In the document sent to the state prosecutors, the federal prosecutor of the rights of the citizen, Paulo Thadeu Gomes da Silva, highlighted the seriousness of the exposure of citizens and businessmen in boycott lists motivated by political convictions.

According to him, the dissemination of this type of material, when used to embarrass or economically harm people, represents an affront to the fundamental principles of the Republic.

The PFDC also stresses that freedom of expression cannot be used as a justification to encourage practices of hatred, intolerance, discrimination or social exclusion.

The document cites the understanding of Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) that the constitutional guarantee of free thought does not protect acts that promote discrimination and intolerance.

Among the rights that can be violated are the dignity of the human person, political pluralism, equality, security and the protection of the image.

The Prosecutor’s Office also points to possible violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

With the initiative, the MPF intends to monitor cases in the Paraná and in the other states of the South, identify possible responsibilities and gather information to guide measures to protect fundamental rights. (The information is from the Secretary of Media of the Attorney General of the Republic)

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