News on the Rapporteurs

Reconstruction after natural disasters: developments

The presentation of the report on post-disaster reconstruction to the UN General Assembly on October 19 in New York and the performing of a parallel event on the theme – with participation of delegations from various countries, international NGOs and multilateral organisations – created an intense debate and some interesting developments.

Check the speakers that have confirmed presence at the side event on post-disaster reconstruction

On October 21, following the presentation of her report on reconstruction after natural disasters and the right to adequate housing to the UN General Assembly, in New York, Rapporteur Raquel Rolnik will present a side event on the matter, at the same place.

Special Rapporteur promotes debate during the UN General Assembly

In October, the Special Rapporteur will coordinate a side event during the United Nations General Assembly, in New York. More than Housing Reconstruction: The Right to Adequate Housing in Disaster Relief and Recovery? aims to bring together governments, humanitarian and human rights specialists experienced
in addressing disasters to discuss the integration of the right to adequate
housing in disaster response.

Communications reports are available for consultation

Read below the summaries of the communications sent by the Rapporteur to various countries from December 2010 to last May. To read the complete version of each communication, click on the summary title.

Rapporteur’s newsletter celebrates first anniversary

Through the newsletter and other communications tools developed in her term, Rapporteur Raquel Rolnik has been sharing her work agenda and seeking dialogue with organisations, communities and governments of countries visited as well as with people and organisations that may be interested in the topics being worked.

Communications Report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September

In September, the 18th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place in Geneva. At the event, the communications sent by Rapporteurs to country governments from December 2010 to May 2011 will be presented, as will the answers of the respective governments from February to July this year.[…]

PRESS RELEASE – UK urged to find negotiated settlement to eviction stand-off with 86 Irish Traveller families

GENEVA (5 August 2011) – Two UN human rights experts* in the field of housing and minority issues called on the United Kingdom Government to find a peaceful and appropriate solution, and adequate alternative housing for 86 Irish Traveller families faced with forced eviction from Dale Farm, Essex, before the end of August.

Over a hundred people have registered in the Rapporteur’s platform of debates

The discussions on “Women and Housing Rights” are already taking place in the virtual platform launched last month by the Special Rapporteur.

PRESS RELEASE – It’s time to democratize housing policies in Algeria, urges UN expert

ALGIERS / GENEVA (19 July 2011) – “I commend the strong commitment of the Algerian government in the housing field as reflected in the huge state production of social housing in the last decade and the very important budgetary inversion devoted to this area,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik, at the end of her mission to Algeria from 9 to 19 July 2011*. “These efforts are particularly relevant in an international context characterized by the disengagement of the States from the housing sector.”

PRESS RELEASE – UN expert to assess rights implications of housing policies in Algeria

GENEVA (7 July 2011) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik, will visit Algeria from 9 to 19 July 2011 to study the effect of the country’s housing policies and programmes on the human rights of its people.