Curitiba Councilor indicted for alleged discrimination against colleague

A judge in Curitiba has accepted a complaint from the Public Ministry of Paraná against City Councilor Tathiana Guzella (PL) for alleged discrimination based on national origin. The charge stems from comments made during a City Council debate on November 5, when Guzella told fellow councilor Vanda de Assis (PT), “Why don't you go back to Ceará? Why did you come here? You were born there... but you come here to be a nuisance.”

The prosecution argues the remarks were intended to offend and humiliate Assis, who is originally from Ceará, and constitute discrimination under Law 7.716/1989. Guzella has ten days to present her defense. She maintains her comments were strictly political and not intended to judge anyone based on their geographic origin.

In a separate move, State Deputy Arilson Chiorato has requested the revocation of Guzella’s mandate, citing a breach of parliamentary decorum. He characterized the statements as xenophobic and incompatible with the dignity of the City Council.