Project is authored by senator Rogério Carvalho (PT-SE); was presented after lawyer was prevented from defending client for wearing Candomblé clothes
In June, lawyer Gustavo Coutinho was prevented from giving oral arguments in the defense of a client at the TJDFT (Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories), in Brasília, for wearing religious attire. In response to this situation, we are beginning to analyze a bill that allows the use of religious clothing and insignia in courts, in addition to providing for the suspension of procedural deadlines during relevant religious periods.
Presented by the senator (PT-SE), it changes the Law Statute and the Civil Procedure Code to meet the specificities of lawyers who adhere to African, Afro-Amerindian or Jewish religions. The measure would also apply to other religious beliefs.
“Aware of the importance of religious freedom, we are concerned about the reported fact that a lawyer was prevented from giving oral arguments in court for wearing clothing typical of his religion. At the time, the lawyer declared himself raped, harmed, prevented from practicing [sua] profession”says the senator.
According to Rogério Carvalho, the project is aligned with article 5 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees the inviolability of freedoms of conscience and belief. According to him, the idea is to promote a legal environment where lawyers can practice their religious traditions without facing constraints that compromise their professional performance.
“The secularity of the State does not mean contempt for religion, but rather the guarantee that all citizens are treated equally when exercising their right to freedom of belief”he argues.
If approved by the Education and Culture Commission, the project will go to .
With information from .
