With its Children Win campaign, Terre des Hommes has been calling for years for major sporting events to have no negative impact on the inhabitants of the host cities. For the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the worst fears have been confirmed. Civil society is fighting back.
Terre des Hommes (the Federation) launched the Children Win campaign at the beginning of 2014. The aim of the campaign is to ensure that major sporting events are held without any negative impact on the inhabitants of the host cities. The mistakes of the past should not be repeated. This goal could not be achieved for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The feared forced relocations, police violence and disregard for human rights are taking place. Although the Games have become a nightmare for many, they are not simply accepting the situation.
Grassroots organizations mobilize
One month before the start of the Games, hundreds demonstrated in front of the parliament in Rio against the social consequences and high expenditure for the Games. There is particularly strong opposition to the increase in police violence as a result of the new security concept for the Games. Human rights organizations have documented an increase in homicides by the police. The majority of the victims are young black men from the favelas.
Games of the excluded” as a counterpoint
Many grassroots organizations have set themselves the goal of making the voices of those affected heard and drawing attention to the other side of the coin. terre des hommes schweiz supports the Comite Popular Rio Copa e Olimpíada, a network of grassroots organizations, in this. The Comite is planning a colourful and self-organized counterpoint to the opening ceremonies of the Games from 1 to 5 August. With the counter-event “Games of the Excluded”, they want to set an example against the grievances. The event is planned as a mixture of sporting and playful components, political discussions and workshops. The aim is to develop constructive proposals for sustainable urban development for Rio de Janeiro through critical debate.
What can I do?
The Children Win campaign has launched an online petition to the International Olympic Committee. Call on Thomas Bach, the President, to put pressure on the government of Rio de Janeiro to stop the human rights violations associated with the Summer Olympics. Sign the petition on our Children Win page.
On the opening day of the Olympic Games, our special newsletter on Rio 2016 will be published with up-to-date information on the “Games of the Excluded” and interviews with affected mothers from Rio. Sign up for the newsletter here.
