✓ verbatim from the press
Minister Cristiano Zanin requested a case review and suspended the judgment of Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI) 7,662 regarding São Paulo's civic-military schools, which was being analyzed in the STF's virtual plenary. Until the suspension, only rapporteur Gilmar Mendes had voted, considering the program constitutional with limitations. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) Cristiano Zanin pediu vista do julgamento da Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade (ADI) 7.662, que questiona a legalidade da lei que instituiu o programa de escolas cívico-militares no estado de São Paulo... Até agora, somente o ministro Gilmar Mendes, relator do caso, havia votado."
The actions were filed by PSOL and PT against the São Paulo state law that established the civic-military schools program under Governor Tarcísio de Freitas. The parties argue that the law violates the Union's exclusive competence over education guidelines and foundations — PSOL alleges the program devalues educators and misuses the education budget, while PT maintains that school militarization puts democracy at risk. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"As ações foram propostas por Psol e PT. O primeiro argumenta que o programa desvaloriza os educadores, viola as funções constitucionais da Polícia Militar e desvirtua o uso do orçamento da educação. O PT argumenta que a militarização das escolas coloca em risco a democracia."
"Os partidos enxergam a lei como inconstitucional por invadir a competência privativa da União sobre diretrizes e bases da educação."
In his vote, Gilmar Mendes established a series of conditions for the program. The rapporteur determined that military police cannot teach classes or act in school management, that extracurricular activities cannot exalt militarism or use Armed Forces symbols, and that expenses with military personnel cannot be counted as education expenditures. Mendes also required that uniform rules accommodate cultural and religious manifestations, and that adhering municipalities have at least one other public school in the region. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O ministro ressaltou que regras de estética e uniformização dos estudantes devem contemplar todas as manifestações culturais e religiosas brasileiras, evitando que crianças e adolescentes de grupos étnico-sociais sejam impedidos de usar determinados adereços ou cortes de cabelo, ou sofram qualquer tipo de discriminação."
"O ministro destacou ainda que os recursos gastos com militares não podem ser contabilizados como gastos em educação, já que os policiais militares não são profissionais da área."
The virtual plenary judgment, which began on May 22 and would end on May 29, will be suspended for up to 90 days due to Zanin's case review request. There is a second connected ADI (ADI 7,675) also under judgment on the same topic of São Paulo's civic-military schools. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O julgamento da ADI (Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade) 7662 e ADI 7675 começou na 6ª feira (22.mai)."
"Zanin pediu mais tempo para estudar o caso e agora tem 90 dias para liberar os autos do processo."
Cristiano Zanin requested case review and suspended judgment of ADIs 7,662 and 7,675
Only Gilmar Mendes had voted until suspension, considering the program constitutional with limitations
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
USP academic research documents human rights violations in civic-military schools
TJ-SP had suspended state law by injunction in August 2024, overturned by Gilmar Mendes
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What is the specific position of AGU and PGR in the case?
Why it's still unknown: Press outlets did not detail the positions of the Attorney General's Office or the Federal Prosecutor's Office regarding the ADIs.
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How does the São Paulo civic-military schools model operate?
Why it's still unknown: The press mentions that 'at least one military police officer acts as monitor', but doesn't detail school selection criteria, numbers of implemented units, or differences from the federal model.
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Are there similar precedents in other states being legally challenged?
Why it's still unknown: Articles mention the end of the federal program (Pecim) in 2023, but don't map the status of similar state programs or judicial decisions about them.