Page 96 - IJPS-9-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Refugees’ voices in Brazilian cities

equal dignity, the requirements for redistribution demand Thus, it is understood that the need to demarcate or not
the suppression of the economic arrangements that cause the differences that exist among the groups that make up
the groups’ specificity. Thus, the former promotes the a community should be analyzed on a case-by-case basis,
differentiation of groups, while the latter, on the contrary, using the occurrence of discrimination as the criterion.
encourages their non-differentiation (Fraser, 1997). Discrimination, defined as a negative and unjust form of

It is observed that promoting economic redistribution differentiation resulting in human rights violations, serves
would promote the right to the city for the collectivity as a key indicator. However, the consequences of economic
of its inhabitants, indistinctly (the “whole”), whereas redistribution can “soften” and “mask” the negative
promoting the recognition of cultural differences would impacts of the lack of recognition. For example, a refugee
ensure the right to the city of each group, specifically (the with a sufficient monthly income to cover their basic needs
“few”). In this sense, Fraser (1997) concludes that the for housing, transportation, food, and more would already
dilemma of redistribution versus recognition is insoluble have their basic needs met. Consequently, they would
because it demonstrates that individuals subjected to have the effectiveness (practice) of their right to the city,
concomitant economic and cultural injustices require both potentially reducing the demand for specific recognition
redistribution and recognition. In other words, they need of this impaired right.
to deny and affirm their specificity at the same time. For this However, in cases where the right to the city is already
reason, the categories “recognition” and “redistribution” effectively realized, even before it is formally recognized as
may not suffice for analyzing real demands, for example, a “right” itself, does the struggle for recognition still hold
those related to gender and race. a purpose?
Nevertheless, the crucial question that can be extracted
from the redistribution versus recognition dilemma 5. The effectiveness of the right, the
presented by Fraser: Differentiate or not differentiate. It recognition of identity, and the weapon of
raises questions about when and how to proceed and the the enemy
criteria underpinning such decisions. Undoubtedly, these As mentioned earlier, the concrete effectiveness of the
are some of the most complex and debated aspects of the right to the city for individuals in a situation of refuge
struggle for recognition and the realization of the right to could apparently render it unnecessary to pursue the
the city, as well as human rights in general. These efforts recognition of such a right. According to Williams (1991),
aim to ensure that discrimination (negative differentiation) formal recognition of the right becomes dispensable when
is eliminated and that equal dignity is upheld. there is a real “guarantee” of its fulfillment, and informality
The ownership of this right for individuals in a situation can serve this group of individuals who (consciously or
of refuge must be recognized and guaranteed simply because unconsciously) already possess social power within the
all urban inhabitants — emphasizing the word “all” — have context of a social hierarchy.
the right to participate actively and passively in the city However, in light of the demands of the “new” social
where they live. In this context, the group of “refugees and movements seeking recognition and affirmation of the
seekers of refuge” should not be differentiated, as there is a identities of the diverse and distinct groups that compose
risk of potentially violating their human rights through an society, the issue of formally recognizing the right to the city
unfair differentiation (one that causes negative effects).
can be analyzed from two aspects: (i) The need for formal
However, the guarantee of any human right (precisely recognition when the law lacks concrete effectiveness;
because of its “human” character) without considering and (ii) formal recognition as a means of achieving
the particularities of each specific group and recognizing sociopolitical emancipation and affirming identity.
the diversity within society can often compromise its In relation to the first aspect, formal recognition of the
effectiveness and even deviate from its intended purpose,
potentially leading to discrimination. For example, right to the city — where formal recognition is understood
ensuring the right to housing for all inhabitants of a given as the provision and legal guarantee of that right — serves
as the means provided by the institutions of the democratic
municipality through a public policy that promotes the state of law to ensure the effectiveness of its content.
lease or acquisition of property by refugees and seekers Thus, institutional recognition of this right represents the
of refuge without considering that many of them do not pathway toward its concrete realization.
speak Portuguese and would need an interpreter or that the
contracts and other documents were translated. As a result, Nevertheless, the formal recognition of the right to
to ensure their rights, they would need an interpreter and the city for individuals in such situations also presents a
translated contracts and other documents. function of identity affirmation. In other words, it provides

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2023) 90 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.438