The minister gave the Executive representatives five days to speak out on ‘disproportionate’ and ‘generalist’ restrictions
The unrestricted suspension of religious activities, by means of municipal and state decrees, in the wake of coping measures to the Covid-19 pandemic, took the Minister of the Supreme Federal Court, Kássio Nunes Marques, to collect explanations from the mayors of the municipalities of João Monlevade (MG), Macapá (AP), Serrinha (BA), Bebedouro (SP), Cajamar (SP), Rio Brilhante (MS) and Armação dos Búzios (RJ), in addition to the governors of Piauí and of Roraima. Executive representatives have five days to comment on the restriction measures. The minister’s order was issued in the Fundamental Precept Failure Statement, filed by the National Association of Evangelical Jurists (Anajure).
In the lawsuit, Anajure claims that the restrictions imposed are “disproportionate” and “generalist”, as they prohibit any religious manifestation, even if there is no agglomeration. Other activities, such as chaplaincy services, social and philanthropic actions and administrative ecclesiastical activities have also been impacted. According to the organization, the rules violate freedom of movement, the fundamental right to religious freedom and the principle of state secularity. In this context, the association asks, through a preliminary injunction, to suspend the effectiveness of state and municipal decrees that prohibit, prohibit or suspend religious activities and the functioning of religious temples without qualification about the possibility of carrying out practices that do not generate agglomeration. Nunes Marques also determined that, subsequently, the records be forwarded to the Federal Attorney General’s Office (AGU) and the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), successively, within five days each.
* With information from Estadão Content
