The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) has opened a civil investigation to investigate a possible act of religious discrimination in the organization of New Year’s Eve 2025 by the City of Rio de Janeiro, following the complaint – published here in the column – according to which the programming of Praia do Leme gave priority to activities aimed at the gospel public to the detriment of other religious events.
“Diversity cannot just be a speech: it requires concrete practices of recognition, representation and equality in the use of public space,” Babalawô Ivanir dos Santos declared a few days ago.
The decision, signed by prosecutor Jaime Mitropoulos, transforms a preparatory procedure into a formal investigation and requests information from the municipality. This Sunday, Mayor Eduardo Paes, who preferred to use social networks to discuss issues related to his administration, ignored Babalawô’s consideration.
“The level of prejudice among these people is impressive. New Year’s Eve on Copacabana beach belongs to everyone! Gospel music can also have its place. Just like samba, rock, piseiro, frevo, Bahian music, mpb, bossa nova… Everyone follows the rhythm they like the most! Christians too have the right to party! Amen! Axé! Shalom! Namaste,” Paes wrote.
The MPF asked City Hall to clarify the criteria used to define the hiring of artists and the use of public resources during the 2026 New Year’s Eve beach events. The deadline to respond is January 21, 2026, a date chosen because it is the National Day Against Religious Intolerance.
On the same day, the organization planned a meeting with representatives of the municipality and entities such as the Institute for the Defense of the Rights of Afro-Brazilian Religions and the Commission to Combat Religious Intolerance of the OAB-RJ. The goal is to discuss public policies to combat intolerance and religious racism in the state.
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