Curitiba Councilor Tathiana Guzella charged with discrimination

The Public Prosecutor's Office of Paraná (MPPR) has formally charged Curitiba City Councilor Tathiana Guzella (PL) with discrimination based on national origin. The charge follows an incident during a City Council session where Guzella directed comments toward fellow councilor Vanda de Assis (PT), a native of Ceará.

During a debate regarding a municipal registry for people experiencing homelessness, Guzella questioned Assis's origin, asking, “If you like praising the PT so much... why don't you go back to Ceará? Why did you come here? You were born there, but you came here to be a nuisance.” The MPPR contends these statements were intended to humiliate Assis and disparage the people of Ceará.

The prosecution is seeking criminal liability for Guzella, which carries a potential prison sentence of one to five years. Additionally, the MPPR has requested moral damages for Assis totaling 20 minimum wages (approximately R$ 32,420) and collective moral damages of 40 minimum wages (approximately R$ 64,840) to be paid to the State Fund for the Promotion of Racial Equality (FUNDEPPIR).

Guzella has denied the allegations, stating she is innocent and that her remarks were intended as political criticism rather than xenophobic attacks. She claimed her reasoning was interrupted during the session and expressed surprise at the lack of prior summons to provide clarification.