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Racism case against Esteban Queimada in Uruguay heads to trial
🇺🇾 Uruguay /Crime & Justice

Racism case against Esteban Queimada in Uruguay heads to trial

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Esteban Queimada's precautionary measures have been extended until September 4 in a racism case involving Yessy López.
  • Queimada's defense has rejected a plea deal, maintaining he committed no crime.
  • The case, stemming from remarks made during an election campaign, is heading towards a public trial.

A Uruguayan court has extended precautionary measures against Esteban Queimada until September 4 as his case involving alleged racism against communicator Yessy López progresses towards trial. Queimada faces charges including defamation, racial slur, and incitement to hatred.

The defense has already ruled out an agreement and maintains the position that there was no crime.

— Judicial sourcesSources close to the judicial process indicating the defense's stance on a potential plea deal.

Queimada's defense team has firmly rejected the possibility of an "abbreviated agreement" or plea deal, insisting on their client's innocence. The measures currently in place require Queimada to maintain a fixed address and prohibit him from leaving the country. An earlier requirement for him to report to a police station every 15 days was deemed "disproportionate" by his defense.

The case is heading towards resolution in a public trial.

— Judicial sourcesSources close to the judicial process describing the likely outcome of the case.

The legal proceedings originated in September 2024 after López announced her candidacy for a legislative seat. Queimada reportedly questioned her suitability on his program "Bajo la lupa," using derogatory terms. The prosecutor's office formalized charges, arguing that Queimada's statements revived López's past experiences with discrimination and caused her significant emotional distress.

I never think it will happen to you: the story of Avril and the pain of a family seeking justice

— El PaísHeadline of a related article mentioned in the text, indicating broader themes of seeking justice.

The case has garnered public attention, with the civil organization Mundo Afro issuing a statement condemning Queimada's remarks as racist and discriminatory. Political figures from the Frente Amplio party also voiced their opposition. Queimada's defense maintains that his statements fall under freedom of expression and constituted editorial criticism, asserting that he merely repeated terms López had used to describe herself. They also argued that any perceived harm should be addressed through a civil lawsuit for damages, not criminal charges. López, however, has publicly stated that she felt attacked in a "racist, misogynistic, and gratuitous" manner.

It cannot be that a person who does not know me comes out to attack me gratuitously in that way.

— Yessy LópezYessy López expressing her feelings about the nature of the attacks against her.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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