Brazil Supreme Court postpones disability rights tax case

The Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) delayed the hearing of Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality (ADI) 7779 and 7790, which challenge tax‑reform provisions affecting people with disabilities and autistic individuals. The cases, brought jointly by the Instituto Oceano Azul and the National Association of Support for People with Disabilities (ANAPcD), were slated for the afternoon of Thursday, 18 May – the National Autism Pride Day – but were removed from the agenda, extending uncertainty for advocacy groups and families nationwide.

Oral arguments were to be presented pro bono by lawyer Pedro Barretto. The postponement pushed the hearing to the following Thursday, 25 May, when the parties will again have the opportunity to make their case. The disputes centre on whether new criteria in the tax reform would restrict benefits previously granted for mobility and social inclusion, potentially rolling back rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the Brazilian Inclusion Law and the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The outcome is expected to set a precedent for future debates on accessibility, equality of opportunity and the protection of fundamental rights against fiscal retrogression.