On 5 August 2016, almost 12,000 of the world’s best athletes will congregate in Rio de Janeiro to compete in a dazzling spectacle. It’s been 7 years since Rio was awarded the Games, promising a safe city for all. And yet, in those same 7 years, Rio’s security forces have killed over 2,500 people in the city. Amidst the glitter and fanfare, will anyone remember them?
As the Games draw closer, security forces continue to take lives across the city. Over 100 people have been killed by police in Rio de Janeiro state so far this year. The majority: young black men.
We’ve seen this before. In 2014 – the year that Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup – police killings in Rio de Janeiro state shot up by 40%. Police and military forces were deployed as part of ‘public security’ plans. As tensions rose, they repressed protestors with brutality and unleashed lethal violence in favelas. ‘Shoot first, ask questions later’. No one was held to account; security forces got away with murder.
Right now, these same kinds of ‘public security’ plans are being put in place for the 2016 Games. As the world turns its attention to Brazil, those in charge of ‘security’ must play a fair game and put an end to police violence on Rio’s streets. Join us and demand they do so.
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