To report religious intolerance, call 190 if the crime is happening and then file a police report at a station. Disque 100 accepts anonymous reports, works 24 hours a day, and generates a protocol number.
On September 30, 2026, the ConJur reported that an STF minister notified the Federal Police and the PGR. The investigation concerns an "apparent wave of attacks" on religious images, including Catholic ones, and terreiros, in seven states, including Minas Gerais.
How to report religious intolerance in four steps
To report religious intolerance, follow four steps. First, call 190 if the crime is happening now and preserve the scene. Then, keep the evidence and file a police report. Next, seek the Public Defender's Office of your state and the Public Prosecutor's Office, with Disque 100 in parallel. If it was on the internet, save the link and the screenshot.
- Crime in progress: 190
- Anonymous report: Disque 100
- Internet content: SaferNet
Reporting is not suing. According to the head delegate of Decrin, heard by BHAZ, the police report opens the inquiry. Then, according to BHAZ, the report goes to the Public Prosecutor's Office, which decides whether to archive or prosecute. In public action crimes, the Public Prosecutor's Office promotes the criminal action.
Right now: call 190 and preserve the scene
If the crime is happening or there is immediate risk, call 190, the Military Police number. The Public Defender's Office of Rio de Janeiro reminds that 190 can be reached from any phone, even without credit on the cell phone. The guidance from the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, released by the Agência Gov, is not to expose yourself:
“It is also not recommended that the whistleblower puts themselves at risk, confronts those involved, or tries to investigate the situation on their own to obtain additional information.”
Agência Gov, via the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, August 26, 2026
If the attack left marks, preserve the scene before cleaning. A criminal lawyer interviewed by A Tarde advises avoiding removing or altering graffiti and isolating the location. He also requests photos and videos, the identification of witnesses, and the immediate calling of the police to preserve the scene and collect evidence. According to the report, these precautions help the forensics team correctly document the remains.
Afterwards: keep the evidence and file a police report
What to keep
The Public Defender's Office of Rio de Janeiro cites photos, videos, the aggressor's data, such as name, address, and phone number, and those of whoever witnessed it. Separate:
- Photos and videos of the location and what was hit, taken before cleaning
- Security camera and witness recordings, which, according to the report, can be decisive for identifying the perpetrators
- Witnesses, with contact information
- Details of the aggressor, if you have them
- Details of the fact: the location and the way it happened, as well as the date and time
Disque 100 does not require proof to receive the report. Even so, keep whatever you have.
Where to file a police report
The booklet Respect my terreiro brings a study idealized by Renafro and the terreiro Ilê Omolu (Omulu) Oxum (Oshun). Among the terreiros that responded, only 26% of cases of religious racism were registered in a police report. Register yours.
In Minas, the head delegate of Decrin said that the report can be registered at any police station in the state. In the capital, the victim can go directly to Decrin. The Portal MG instructs to go to the nearest police unit and requests a photo ID document. Ask for a copy of the report and keep it.
The Decrin is located at Rua Rio Grande do Sul, 661, in Barro Preto, in Belo Horizonte. The phone number is (31) 3330-5780, and the hours are from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm, according to the record updated in January 2025. Call before going.
The Virtual Police Station registers only some occurrences online, such as damage, graffiti, and threats, with the same validity as an in-person registration. The Portal MG list does not include religious discrimination. In these cases, go to the police station.
What the law calls a crime
Those who register use the words discrimination, prejudice, or violence more than religious intolerance, according to the research by Nicácio with Minas reports. If in doubt about the name of the crime, describe the fact: what was said or done, by whom, where, and when.
The notebook glossary brings the definition from SEPPIR (2018): religious racism is the manifestation of prejudice and discrimination that combines racism and religious intolerance, directed mainly at Afro-Brazilian religions. Candomblé and Umbanda are Afro-Brazilian religions.
These are three legal provisions that deal with these facts. Art. 20 of Law 7.716/1989 punishes religious discrimination or prejudice, and also those who obstruct, prevent, or use violence against religious practices. Art. 208 of the Penal Code punishes publicly mocking someone because of their belief and publicly desecrating an act or object of worship. It also punishes preventing or disturbing a ceremony or act of worship. Art. 140, §3, deals with insults involving religious elements.
Which one applies to your case depends on a lawyer, a public defender, or the Public Prosecutor's Office.
When the victim needs to appear
In insults involving religious elements, the action depends on the victim's representation: they need to go to the police station and state that they want the investigation. Art. 20 and Art. 208 do not have this requirement. The Public Prosecutor's Office of Santa Catarina explains that, in crimes under Law 7.716, the action is unconditional public. Art. 208 does not bring the exception of representation. Register it as soon as possible.
Crimes with a maximum penalty of up to two years, such as Art. 208, which provides for one month to one year, go to the Special Criminal Court (Juizado). The police draw up a simplified record, according to Law 9.099/1995. Art. 20 has a higher penalty and falls outside this rule.
Who does what: police station, Disque 100, Public Defender's Office, and Public Prosecutor's Office
Each channel has a different function.
| Channel | What it does | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 190 (Military Police) | Attends to emergencies and crimes in progress | Crime in progress or immediate risk |
| Police Station (Decrin, in BH) | Registers the report, and the report opens the investigation | After the fact, to request an investigation |
| Virtual Police Station (MG) | Register online damage, graffiti, and threat | Broken gate, graffiti, threat |
| Call 100 | Receives anonymous or identified reports and forwards them to the competent authorities | At any time, including from those who witnessed it |
| Public Defender's Office | According to the Rio de Janeiro Public Defender's guide, it provides legal guidance for the investigation and the possible criminal process | With the police report and evidence in hand |
| Public Prosecutor's Office | Receives the inquiry and decides whether to archive or prosecute. In public action crimes, it is the one that promotes the criminal action | For the case to proceed to the Justice system |
| Public Ministry of Minas Gerais Ombudsman | Receives reports and forwards them to the competent body | To send a report to the Public Ministry of Minas, if you wish |
| SaferNet | Receives anonymous reports of crimes on the internet | Offensive post, profile, or video |
Disque 100 is available via phone 100, via WhatsApp (61) 99611-0100, and via Telegram. There is also chat and video call in Libras, and each report generates a protocol number to follow the case.
The Public Ministry of Minas Ombudsman is available via 127, free within the state, and via (31) 3330-9504. By phone, the hours are from 8am to 6pm on business days, and there is confidentiality if the person requests it.
Seek the Public Defender's Office of your state. The booklet indicates the Anadep website to find the contacts. Bring the police report, the evidence, and personal documents, such as RG, CPF, and proof of residence, which is what the Public Defender's Office of Rio de Janeiro requires. In other states, the guidance may vary.
No channel guarantees the result, and each case depends on a professional, such as a public defender or a lawyer.
On the internet: save the link and the screenshot
If the offense was on a social network, save the link to the post and take a screenshot. The Public Defender's Office of Rio de Janeiro requests the print of the post and also of the profile used by the person who posted.
Next, report the content to SaferNet, a service that receives anonymous reports of crimes and human rights violations on the internet and generates a protocol. If you wish, also use the reporting channel that the network itself offers. The police report remains valid.
Art. 20 of Law 7.716 provides for imprisonment of two to five years and a fine when the crime is committed through social networks or the internet. In a news report from May 17, 2024, the MPMG informed that it reported a woman from Governador Valadares for religious intolerance on a social network. The video linked the climate tragedy of Rio Grande do Sul to Afro-Brazilian religions. The prosecutor requested, among other precautionary measures, that she be prohibited from making new posts about these religions.
Frequently asked questions
How to report religious intolerance on the internet?
Save the link and take a screenshot of the post and the profile. Next, report the content to SaferNet, which receives anonymous reports and generates a protocol, and register the police report. For crimes via social networks, art. 20 of Law 7.716 provides for imprisonment of two to five years and a fine.
What is the number to report religious intolerance?
The number is 100, from Disque 100, free and open 24 hours a day. The channel also answers via WhatsApp (61) 99611-0100. If the crime is happening, call 190, the Military Police number. In Minas, the Ombudsman of the Public Ministry receives reports via 127, free within the state.
Is it possible to report religious intolerance without identifying yourself?
Yes, on Disque 100 and on SaferNet. The police report is different: the Portal MG requires a photo identification document. In cases of insult with religious elements, the law requires that the victim represent, that is, appear and state that they want the investigation.
Can I file the report at any police station?
In Minas, the head delegate of Decrin told BHAZ that the report can be filed at any police station in the state. Portal MG instructs to look for the nearest police unit. Outside of Minas, the handbook indicates the police station specialized in racial crimes or, in its absence, a common police station.
Is reporting the same as prosecuting?
No. According to BHAZ, the report opens the inquiry, which goes to the Public Ministry, and it decides between archiving and reporting to the Justice. In public action crimes, the one who promotes the criminal action is the Public Ministry. The Rio de Janeiro Public Defender's Office handbook provides legal guidance to follow the process.
References
- Presidência da República: Law 7.716/1989, art. 20
- Presidência da República: Penal Code, arts. 100, 140, 145 and 208
- Presidência da República: Law 9.099/1995, arts. 61 and 69
- Governo de Minas Gerais: Decrin, Polícia Civil
- Governo de Minas Gerais: Register a police report (Reds)
- Agência Gov, 08/26/2026: Disque 100, the report can be anonymous
- BHAZ, 09/15/2026: religious intolerance in Minas and the feeling of impunity
- Public Defender's Office of Rio de Janeiro: guide Racial crimes, how to protect yourself and report
- A Tarde, 07/06/2026: how to report crimes of religious intolerance in Salvador
- MPMG: Ombudsman
- MPMG, 05/17/2024: report of religious intolerance on social media
- MPSC: Racism and religious intolerance
- SaferNet Brasil: Report
- MDHC, Renafro and Ilê Omolu Oxum: booklet Respect my terreiro, 2nd edition, November 2025
- Camila Silva Nicácio, Revista Direito GV, 2021: religious intolerance in Minas Gerais based on police reports
- ConJur, 09/30/2026: investigation of attacks on religious images
