Social movement news

The World Bank must stop underwriting human rights abuses in Ethiopia

Published in Saturday March 23rd, 2013 In Social movement news

A leaked World Bank report calls for an investigation into allegations that a multi-billion dollar aid program in Ethiopia is underwriting the forced relocation of hundreds of thousands of ethnic minorities to free up fertile land to lease to investors.

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Hungary accused of persecution of the poor

Published in Wednesday March 20th, 2013 In Social movement news

In Autumn 2010, the Hungarian Law on Constructions was amended to allow municipalities to ban homeless people from public spaces. The Hungarian Parliament imposed a $700 fine or jail upon those who repeatedly broke municipal laws regarding “residential habitation in public spaces.” Although this law was ruled unconstitutional by the Hungarian Constitutional Court, the Hungarian Prime Minister has announced that the government intends to prohibit street homelessness in the country’s constitution. This has attracted significant international attention and criticism, and highlights key issues affecting people affected by poverty and homelessness.

Report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context, Raquel Rolnik

Published in Tuesday March 19th, 2013 In Social movement news

The present report is submitted by the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 15/8. In the report, the Special Rapporteur elaborates upon the concept of security of tenure as a component of the right to adequate housing. To download the complete report, click here.

Expropriation, no title and no compensation in Haiti

Published in Thursday March 14th, 2013 In Social movement news

Tuesday, as part of the construction of the new administrative city in the heart of the Capital, Jean-Baptiste Clark Neptune, Director General of Taxes (DGI) announced that the compensation process of owners within the perimeter declared of public utility, will begin.

Lagos, Nigeria: Where housing is a luxury

Published in Wednesday March 13th, 2013 In Social movement news

Lagos has over 10 million inhabitants – most of whom are constantly struggling for adequate housing. With an ever-increasing population, a decent place to live has become a luxury for Lagos’s poor majority. Click here to watch a newsclip from YouTube featuring Friday Ogunyemi and the aftermath of the forced eviction.

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Restituting the land to the Endorois People: a 40-year process

Published in Saturday March 9th, 2013 In Social movement news

In November 2012, members of the Adjudication Working Group at ESCR-Net facilitated a strategic meeting with leaders of the Endorois community in Kenya, focused on advancing full implementation of the unprecedented recommendations issued by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights regarding the evictions. The meeting brought together human rights lawyers, activists, and academics from Kenya, South Africa and the US with expertise on enforcement of court decisions.

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“Don’t finance forced evictions”

Published in Friday March 8th, 2013 In Social movement news

Right now, over 1,000 people in Lagos, Nigeria, are under threat of being kicked out of their homes with nowhere to go. One mass eviction has already happened, and more could happen any day. People in this situation recently won unexpected support from the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Raquel Rolnik. She criticized her colleagues at the World Bank for failing to bring its safeguarding policies for loans to fund development projects in line with international human rights standards.

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Statement Against the Continued Persecution and Criminalisation of Homeless People in Hungary

Published in Tuesday March 5th, 2013 In Social movement news

FEANTSA calls on the Hungarian government to withdraw its proposed amendment to the Hungarian Constitution that will make it possible to fine, arrest and imprison people who are sleeping rough because they have no other options in a vote on 4 March 2013.

Tackling poor housing is the first step towards reducing health inequalities

Published in Wednesday February 27th, 2013 In Social movement news

On January 22, the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) and the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing (CECODHAS Housing Europe) held a joint conference with the European Parliament’s Urban Intergroup. The event focused on the connection between health inequalities and affordable housing and emphasised that investment in good quality housing can bring returns in health and environmental outcomes. The European Commission (DG Employment) has proposed to set up a European Aid Fund to help the Most Deprived Persons in the EU.

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Towards the World Assembly of Inhabitants and beyond

Published in Tuesday January 29th, 2013 In Social movement news

From the 26th to the 30th of March, as part of the World Social Forum, the city of Tunis will host the next World Assembly of Inhabitants (WAI), supported by international networks and inhabitants organisations. Everyone is invited to take part in this key stage in the process!