The civilian police are investigating possible post-election crimes of racism in Garuve, north of Santa Catarina, against people born in northeast Brazil. The suspects may have committed the crime on social media.

The crimes took place after the elections on Sunday (2) – Photo: Arquivo/Bruno Golembiewski/ND

After this Sunday’s elections (2), some residents posted racist messages on social media against people from the northeast of the country.

This Monday (5) witnesses and suspects were heard. People of northeastern origin and residents of the city expressed fear of harm or even attack, considering the nature of the offenses to be ordinary, the Civil Police said.

According to Delegate Eduardo Defaveri, exercising, inciting or inciting discrimination or prejudice based on race, colour, ethnicity, religion or national origin is the crime of racism.

Punishment for a crime can range from one to three years in prison and a fine. But, since the crime was committed through social media, the punishment for the crime could be even more severe, from two to five years in prison, on top of the fine.

“It is important to emphasize that discriminating against people of different national origins is a form of racism, under national law and already passed by the Federal Supreme Court itself. This is a hate crime, a form of violence directed against a group with special characteristics,” says the delegate.

The city of Garuwa is also taking other measures to reduce acts of discrimination, especially due to the large number of people arriving from the north-east of the country.

Even the “Northeast Party” that will take place next Saturday (8) in Garuv will have police reinforcements and monitor possible acts of racism.