The Santa Catarina Court of Justice (TJSC) has rejected the state government’s appeal to suspend proceedings related to the law that prohibits racial quotas in higher education institutions receiving state funding. This legal action will continue alongside a separate case currently pending at the Supreme Federal Court (STF). The law remains suspended due to an interim decision made by the TJSC, which highlights the ongoing debate surrounding affirmative action measures in Brazilian universities.

Following the decision, the State Attorney General's Office (PGE) acknowledged receipt of the court's ruling and announced compliance with the tribunal's determination. The state government had sought to halt the judicial process concerning the direct action of unconstitutionality in the TJSC until a definitive ruling is issued by the STF, citing concerns over potential conflicting decisions arising from having two simultaneous lawsuits on the same issue.

Judge Maria do Rocio Luz Santa Ritta indicated that there has not yet been a conclusive decision made by the STF, suggesting that suspending the state process would lose crucial momentum that the law’s review requires. This decision presents ongoing challenges in the legal landscape regarding racial quotas and indicates the complexity of navigating affirmative action policies in Brazil, particularly in states like Santa Catarina where such measures face substantial legal scrutiny.