{"id":31231,"date":"2016-08-02T07:00:23","date_gmt":"2016-08-02T10:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rioonwatch.org\/?p=31231"},"modified":"2021-07-08T16:03:34","modified_gmt":"2021-07-08T19:03:34","slug":"front-line-defenders-calls-for-end-to-threats-against-rios-human-rights-defenders-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=31231","title":{"rendered":"Front Line Defenders Calls for End to Threats Against Rio’s Human Rights Defenders [VIDEO]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

On Thursday July 28, Front Line Defenders<\/a> hosted a press conference with five outspoken activists from Rio de Janeiro who have gained distinction as Human Rights Defenders, as a part of a campaign<\/a>\u00a0to bring increased visibility to escalating intimidation, threats, and forms of violence experienced by human rights defenders in anticipation of the Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Front Line Defenders\u2014an Irish organization operating internationally\u2014aims to provide protection for human rights defenders according to security needs defined by the defenders themselves. The stakes are particularly high for human rights defenders in Brazil: the country topped the list of killings reported to Front Line Defenders worldwide in 2016, with 24 defenders killed<\/a> in just the first four months of the year. Given that denouncing rights violations<\/a> may place these individuals and their families in serious personal danger, resources available<\/a> to at-risk human rights defenders include security training workshops, protection grants to bolster physical and digital security and to cover legal and medical fees, and emergency support (such as temporary relocation in cases of imminent danger).<\/p>\n

The press conference\u00a0commenced with an introduction by Adam Shapiro, Head of Campaigns at Front Line Defenders, followed by a discussion moderated by Protection Coordinator for the Americas\u00a0Ivi Oliveira featuring\u00a0the three Human Rights Defenders\u00a0sitting on the panel: Heloisa Helena Costa Berto<\/a>, Raull Santiago<\/a>, and M\u00f4nica Cunha<\/a>.*<\/p>\n

Heloisa Helena Costa Berto<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Heloisa, a Candombl\u00e9<\/a> priestess, began the conversation by speaking about her experience of being evicted<\/a>\u00a0from her home and spiritual center in Vila Aut\u00f3dromo<\/a>:\u00a0\u201cFor me, these three years have been full of suffering<\/a>\u2026 Because of the whole process of eviction, for me to continue with my house, I had to choose and I had to fight. For this, I lost my Candombl\u00e9 followers, I lost my activities, I couldn\u2019t regularly practice [my religion], up to the point that the City surrounded my house, and placed it inside the Olympic Park<\/a>.”<\/p>\n

Recognizing the powerful economic and political interests that worked to\u00a0uproot\u00a0the community of Vila Aut\u00f3dromo, Heloisa recounted: \u201cI started to see that, excuse the expression, \u2018the ditch is deeper,\u2019\u201d (things are not as they appear).<\/i><\/p>\n

Heloisa described the process of eviction\u00a0as a form of \u201cpsychological trauma<\/a>\u201d as the City employed oppressive tactics, such as suspending public services and requiring a special access pass to reach her house. As Heloisa\u00a0documented in an open letter<\/a>\u00a0published by RioOnWatch<\/em> earlier this year, the process of removal was further complicated by a tenant living on her\u00a0property, who interfered in the two-year-long process of negotiation with the City\u2014escalating in January 2016 when Heloisa received\u00a0death threats<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Heloisa\u2019s home was demolished<\/a> by the City on February 24, 2016. In recognition of her struggle and activism, Heloisa received the Ernesto Pedro Award from the State House of Representatives and the Dandara medal<\/a> from the State Legislative Assembly.<\/p>\n

With the onslaught of problems currently facing\u00a0Brazil, Heloisa described, “I have a very negative view\u00a0with respect to the future. Unfortunately, it\u2019s the poor who suffer the most.”<\/p>\n