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Babilônia, perched in the lush hills overlooking Rio de Janeiro, is a far cry from the scenes of drugs and violence we know from films like “City of God.” The favela is part of a city-wide initiative to “pacify” these communities in order to integrate them into the city. As such, the rampant violence that has made “favela” such a menacing word is nowhere to be seen as I hike ever higher into the belly of Babilônia.
More than 3 million slaves were sent to Brazil from Africa and more slaves passed through the port of Rio de Janeiro than any other on the planet. When the country finally abolished slavery in 1888 there was no plan for what would happen to the millions of newly emancipated Brazilians of African decent. This population was forced to live in the city outskirts and in Rio de Janeiro shanty towns were built in the steep hills surrounding the city. It wasn’t until the 1980s, when Brazil became the focal point of cocaine and heroin distribution to North America, that the favelas developed the notoriously violent reputation they still bear today.
So how has “pacification” affected favelas like Babilônia? Police Pacification Units, “UPP” in Portuguese, were introduced in 2008 as an attempt to stop the cycle of violence. It is generally viewed as a success story: drug lords have been forced out and violence has been greatly reduced which has paved the way for development and gentrification. As I climb up the favela between shacks and houses it becomes obvious that this is exactly what is happening here in Babilônia. The labyrinthine network of dirt paths is being replaced by roads and stairs made of cement. Basic services like water, electricity, and television, which were traditionally siphoned off illegally from the city’s main network, are slowly being formalised. But one only has to speak with the locals to learn that pacification has a darker side too.
The first question concerns the land – who owns it? While most agree that the people living on the land are entitled to it, the process of granting land titles is cumbersome and complicated. There’s also the fear that once the locals get land titles, unscrupulous property tycoons could take advantage of a population that has no experience in buying or selling property. On the other hand, if these communities are to be incorporated into the rest of Rio, shouldn’t they also be granted the same rights? Shouldn’t they have the right to sell their property if they want to? As we keep climbing, I turn around from time to time to take in the breathtaking views. It’s absolutely stunning: this is prime real estate, and it’s no wonder that the big property developers have their eyes on these communities.
But the legalities around land ownership go even further. As we hike up around buildings and shacks, my local guide points out that any building with the letters “SMH” are scheduled to be demolished. When I ask about what will happen to those already living there, I’m told that those families are either relocated or are compensated financially. The problem is that these are incredibly tight knit communities with strong social bonds. Moving a family to a place often hours away can be incredibly disruptive, both socially and psychologically. I’m also told that the amount they receive for having to relocate is not even close to being considered fair.
In Babilônia, any building with the letters “SMH” are scheduled to be demolished (Credit: Daniel Rostrup)
Reducing the violence and formalising basic services is not enough. The favelas harbour a vibrant culture and an incredible entrepreneurial spirit. TrustLaw Connect links social enterprises and charities with local law firms that offer their legal expertise for free. As we continue to grow the number of law firms and social organisations with which we work in Brazil, I hope we can help safeguard the future of these communities by protecting their rights as full citizens of Rio de Janeiro.
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