June 12, 2012
Re-locating more than 300 Romanian Roma families to buildings of a disused chemical factory, breaches housing rights and may be life-threatening, the human rights commissioner has warned.
Commissioner Nils Muižnieks wants the authorities in the Romanian city of Baia Mare to rehouse the families, following reports that 22 children and two adults have already been hospitalised after contac with toxic substances left in the buildings.
“The relocation into the former chemical factory buildings is clearly not an adequate, alternative housing solution. An effective investigation should be conducted by the Romanian authorities to establish the responsibilities for any damage caused to the health of the people concerned. These people should be provided with reparation.”
Commissioner Muižnieks has called on the Mayor of Baia Mare to ensure that the families concerned are moved to adequate accommodation, where there is no threat for their health and where they are not segregated from the majority population. He also stressed that any relocation should be done in consultation and agreement with the people concerned.
Source: Human Rights Europe
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