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UN official expresses concern over Brazil preparations

The Brazilian government may be violating human rights by evicting families to make way for preparations ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Rio, according to a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Raquel Rolnik, special rapporteur on adequate housing for the Council, said on the UN’s website that there was particular concern about “lack of transparency”. The report on the website added that numerous evictions had already been carried out without residents being given enough time to find alternative accommodation.

“I am particularly worried about what seems to be a pattern that’s lacking transparency, consultation, dialogue, fair negotiation, and participation of the affected communities in processes concerning evictions undertaken or planned in connection with the World Cup and Olympics,” Rolnik said. “I am also concerned about the very limited compensation offered to the communities affected.”

According to Rolnik, federal, state, and municipal authorities “should put a stop to planned evictions until dialogue and negotiation can be ensured”.