04 August 2011

BRASIL: Rio Forces Homeless and Drug Addicted Children To Get Treatment.

LATIMES/ V. Bevins / 2 screen read


    Critics call Rio's controversial new program of confining minors against their will or the will of their families unconstitutional...and simply a blatant attempt to clean up its streets by any means before the World Cup.
    In Brasil, forced treatment is illegal but Rio'a lawyers found a loophole...arguing addicted minors lack the capacity to exercise the right to accept or deny treatment.
    "What was being done before just wasn't working," said a Rio official."I believe very strongly in the legality and the importance of this work. At times like this, I think what I would want done if it were my child. We can't think of doing it another way."