The Federal Court has upheld a 100,000 BRL fine for collective moral damages against Sandro Luiz Fantinel, a city councilor from Caxias do Sul in southern Brazil, after he made xenophobic comments during a speech regarding the rescue of over 200 individuals found in slavery-like working conditions at vineyards in Bento Gonçalves. During the court session, which took place recently, the judges unanimously agreed that Fantinel's remarks were discriminatory and offensive, particularly towards people from the Northeast of Brazil, highlighting a significant concern about xenophobia within the region.

The incident dates back to February 2023, during a session of the City Council where Fantinel discussed the alarming situation of the rescued individuals. His remarks, which included derogatory references to people from Bahia, sparked outrage and led to the Federal Public Ministry pressing charges for hate speech. This legal action serves to reinforce the judicial system's stance against xenophobia and discrimination, indicating that such behavior will have serious consequences in Brazilian society.

As of now, attempts to reach Fantinel's legal representation for commentary have been unsuccessful, reflecting a potential continuing atmosphere of impunity surrounding discriminatory remarks in political discourse. This ruling could set a precedent in how public figures are held accountable for their speech, especially regarding sensitive issues such as human rights and migration, which are increasingly prominent in current societal discussions in Brazil.