Brazil has one of the highest homicide rates in the world. To raise awareness of the large amount of young black victims, the Brazilian Amnesty International (Anistia Internacional Brasil) have launched a campaign this November in Rio de Janeiro.
There are around 56 000 homicides a year in Brazil, where 30 000 of the victims are between the ages of 15 to 29 and 77% of them are black. Compared to other areas of the country, these numbers are the highest in the slums and suburbs.
The campaign is called Jovem Negro Vivo (Young Black Alive), and its aim is to change the way these high numbers of the victims are treated by the general public, as well as the media.
“77% of young people killed in Brazil are black. Do you care?” Image Source: Anistia Internacional Brasil https://www.facebook.com/anistiainternacionalbrasil/photos/pb.187970114581051.-2207520000.1415797617./878717958839593/?type=3&theater
82 young people are killed each day and only around 5-8% of the homicides are brought to court. This evil circle results in an increase of crime and perpetuates injustice.
Atila Roque, executive director for Amnesty International Brazil stated that the way the subject has been treated in the media is “unacceptable”.
He mentions that it was vaguely discussed during the recent elections and that Brazilian society, to this point, has come to simply accept the current situation.
“Violent death cannot be accepted as a destination for so many young people. The consequences of prejudice and negative stereotypes associated with these young people and the territories of the favelas and suburbs should be widely discussed and repudiated,” said Roque.
“77% are black. 7 every 2 hours. 82 per day. 2 500 per month. 30 000 per year.” Image Source: Anistia Internacional Brasil https://www.facebook.com/anistiainternacionalbrasil/photos/pb.187970114581051.-2207520000.1415798366./876787695699286/?type=3&theater
In the 12 largest conflict zones combined – The Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq, for example – 170 000 people died between the years 2004-2007. In the same period, 192 000 people were killed in Brazil.
Both local celebrities and regular citizens are using social media platforms, like Twitter and Instagram to spread the word, by using the hashtag #JovemNegroVivo.
“2 500 homicides a month. Do you care? / 82 homicides a day. Do you care?” Image Source: Anistia Internacional Brasil https://www.facebook.com/anistiainternacionalbrasil/photos/pb.187970114581051.-2207520000.1415798358./878718025506253/?type=3&theater
“82 homicides a day. Do you care?” Image Source: Anistia Internacional Brasil https://www.facebook.com/anistiainternacionalbrasil/photos/pb.187970114581051.-2207520000.1415798358./878725238838865/?type=3&theater
Amnesty kicked of the campaign on November 9 at a skate park in Rio, with music and performances to showcase the youth’s value and to bring to attention the need in Brazil to “create conditions so that their expressive side doesn’t get disrupted by violence.” They even have an online petition to reach a higher proportion of the public.
In 2015 Jovem Negro Vivo will have events in other Brazilian states, bringing the campaign closer to the people.
An international report will also be released to demonstrate the causes of violence against the young black population, with the objective of creating integrated and inclusive public policies.
Image Source: Anistia Internacional Brasil https://www.facebook.com/anistiainternacionalbrasil/photos/pb.187970114581051.-2207520000.1415798366./877995785578477/?type=3&theater
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