Argemiro Almeida passed away in Salvador, Brazil, at the end of October. We mourn the loss of the activist who passionately championed the cause of the poor in Brazil for many years. With his commitment, also in Switzerland, he helped to open new doors for critical reporting on the consequences of major sporting events.
We mourn the loss of our Brazilian friend Argemiro Almeida, who succumbed to Chagas disease on October 23. He died in Salvador at the age of 52. Argemiro was a committed activist who always stood up for the disadvantaged. Before the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he joined forces with representatives of various organizations and activists to form citizens’ committees. The citizens’ committees made human rights violations during the preparations for and during the World Cup visible to a wide audience. His commitment was aimed at Brazil’s poor, on whose back the games (2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games) were held.
Important work in Switzerland
At the invitation of terre des hommes schweiz, Argemiro spoke at numerous events in Switzerland in January 2013. With his engaging and authentic manner, his cause gained a great deal of attention from the Swiss public overnight. He was also invited to speak at the International Olympic Committee. There he drew attention to the population threatened by displacement and also presented concrete proposals for improvement. Argemiro’s visit to Switzerland was groundbreaking and ensured that critical reporting on the major sporting events in Brazil found its way into the Swiss media.
