Manguinhos is just one of many communities in Rio de Janeiro affected by forced evictions, police violence and human rights violations. And all in the name of major sporting events. One of those affected who is fighting back is Ana Paula Gomes de Oliveira. In a short interview, she spoke about the suffering she and her family have experienced.
Ana Paula Gomes de Oliveira has lived in Manguinhos in the north of Rio since she was born. She was not only the victim of forced evictions, but also lost her son due to police violence. At the end of June 2016, she was invited by the UN and the IOC as a representative of the affected population to report on the situation in the favelas of Rio and in particular on her own story. We spoke to her when she was a guest in Geneva.
As a resident of Manguinhos, you have also been the victim of forced evictions. Were you surprised by the forced evictions?
Ana Paula Gomes de Oliveira: Until 2010, we had no fear of eviction. My family was one of the few who were able to buy a house in another part of Manguinhos with the financial compensation. Nevertheless, these evictions caused my family a lot of suffering.
What suffering has befallen them?
Seven months after the eviction, my 19-year-old son Jonathan was shot in the back and killed by the police.
What exactly happened?
On the afternoon of May 14, 2014, he was on his way back from his girlfriend’s house when he encountered a verbal incident between the police and the public. There were many people at the scene. The police began firing warning shots into the air. As a result, people began to flee from the police. But there was another policeman who shot at the crowd while they were fleeing. He hit Jonathan in the back. My son bled to death on the way to hospital.
Was this policeman brought to justice?
It was outrageous when I heard later that this policeman is still on duty. This police officer is under investigation for three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. When I heard about this, I tried to convince the state’s human rights commissioner that this police officer should at least be transferred. Which later happened.
Jonathan is not an isolated case…
Since Jonatha, eight boys have been killed in our community alone. They were shot, beaten to death or succumbed to injuries from a stun gun. People in the community know each other well. It’s painful for everyone. We weren’t even over the killing of my son when it went on.
Has it always been like this?
The relationship between the police and the population has always been characterized by violence. It has been as bad as it is now since the start of the government’s urbanization programme. Since then, the government has been trying to “pacify” the favelas with a heavily armed police force. On paper it is about policing, but in reality it means militarizing the police.
And what is the reason for all the violence?
Racism is very strong in Brazil. If you look at the number of people killed by the police in the favelas, the number of young black people is very high. Furthermore, black people do not have the same opportunities. As they don’t have a good education, they can achieve very little.
Young black people like her son. What kind of person was he?
Jonathan was a friendly and popular boy. He liked going out. He loved music and dancing. He had a steady girlfriend and they were thinking about getting engaged. He wanted to join the army and become a parachutist.
You lost your home and your son. Where do you find the strength for your political commitment?
It comes from love for my son. It comes from the hope that one day mothers will have the right to live together with their sons.
Where are you politically active?
When Jonathan was killed, I got a lot of support from a local movement. I became part of this group and it still supports me today in my fight against police violence. As a movement, we always make contact with the families after such a loss and also help mobilize for protests.
What does it mean for them to be here in Geneva and to be able to speak in front of the IOC/UN? What will they say to the people?
For me, the opportunity to be here is a great victory. It is also a great responsibility because I represent thousands of Brazilian mothers who have lost their sons to police killings. For us people from the favelas, this is a chance to give a voice to the dead. We are tired of crying over our dead and we want it to stop.
What does it mean to you when international organizations like Terre des Hommes support you?
It is very important to have this support, because in Brazil, violations of the right to life have become commonplace, normal. Perhaps the international public can help to break down this indifference.
What can people in Switzerland do? Is it enough to show solidarity?
It is very important that people talk about these incidents and acknowledge that these problems exist. The Olympic Games have led to more deaths. The authorities want to show the beauty of Rio and therefore try to hide us.
Will you still be able to enjoy the games or do you want everything to be over as quickly as possible?
Unfortunately, I will have little time to think about the games because I will have to focus entirely on the safety of my family and friends. During the World Cup, the number of people arrested and killed by the police increased. That is why we are afraid that the legacy of the Olympic Games for the poor people will be blood, suffering and tears.
