Brazil has reduced poverty, but not violence.
"The biggest paradox is that we are in a country that has reduced poverty but intensified violence," says sociologist and political scientist Emir Sader; "the correct diagnosis would be: less inequality tends to mean less violence," adds the expert, who will discuss the subject at the World Human Rights Forum in Brasília, from December 10 to 13; he will be part of the panel "For a Culture of Human Rights".
Mariana Tokarnia
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia - The reduction of inequalities in Brazil and Latin America has not led to a reduction in violence. "The correct diagnosis would be: less inequality tends to less violence," says sociologist and political scientist Emir Sader. "The biggest paradox is that we are in a country that has reduced poverty, but has intensified violence," he added. This point of view will be debated on Friday (13), at the World Human Rights Forum.
The event will take place in Brasília from December 10th to 13th. Sader will participate in the panel "Towards a Culture of Human Rights," along with Argentinian professor Alicia Cabezudo and the president of the National Commission for Human Rights and Citizenship of Cape Verde, Zelinda Cohen. The debate will focus on the role of human rights education in the development and empowerment of citizens.
The political scientist, one of the organizers of the World Social Forum, analyzes Latin America in light of the political models that govern the countries. In one of his latest blog posts, he says that "for the government bloc, the central issue in Brazil is inequality, poverty, and misery," and adds that "even when the Brazilian economy suffers a process of stagnation, as is currently happening, the government not only maintained but extended and deepened social policies, revealing how it reversed the traditional way of approaching economic development and income distribution."
Speaking to Agência Brasil, he says that despite the emphasis on the social issue, violence is increasing. Proof of this is the survey carried out by the country in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), released this Thursday (5). The data show that three out of ten Brazilians who live in cities with more than 15 inhabitants say they have suffered some type of crime or offense during their lifetime.
According to the survey, assaults and threats are the most common, with 14,3% of respondents having suffered such situations during this period. Next are reports of discrimination (10,7%), theft of objects (9,8%), and fraud (9,2%). "There has been an increase in interest in human rights, but in small circles. It doesn't reach society as a whole."
According to the political scientist, Brazil's weakness lies in the lack of spaces for socialization, especially among the poorest sectors. "The educational system doesn't fulfill this role. School isn't a space for socialization. Young people end up socializing on the streets," where, he argues, they come into contact with consumerism and other values that can lead to violence.
Asked about the June and July protests and the demand for social rights, such as health and education, he says that, ultimately, social improvements can lead to a reduction in violence. Sader stressed that he doesn't have clear answers about what leads people to commit violent acts or how people understand the idea of rights. "That's part of what I'm going to bring to the debate."
The panel discussion is scheduled for 10:00 AM. The program and other information about the event can be found on the Forum's website.