Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Gilmar Mendes voted on Friday (10th) to overturn the Santa Catarina law that banned the reservation of racial quotas for student admissions in educational institutions receiving state public funds.
The minister’s vote was cast during a virtual trial where the plenary is evaluating actions filed by PSOL, PT, PCdoB, and the Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) to deem the rule unconstitutional.
The 2026 Law 19.722 was approved by the Legislative Assembly and sanctioned by Governor Jorginho Melo. The rule allows the reservation of spots only for people with disabilities, students from public schools, or based solely on economic criteria.
Before reaching the STF, the law was suspended by an injunction granted by the Santa Catarina Court of Justice (TJSC).
In his statement, Mendes noted that the Court has already recognized the constitutionality of affirmative actions. “There is no doubt regarding the constitutionality, in abstract, of affirmative actions based on ethnic-racial criteria,” he stated.
The virtual trial will continue until next Friday (17th), with nine more justices set to vote.
Source: Agência Brasil.
Original published at O Cafezinho.
This decision by Justice Mendes is really a game changer! It could boost representation in education for marginalized groups in Brazil. Can’t wait to see how this evolves!