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3 August 2010 - AI Index: PRE01/268/2010
Amnesty International today urged the Belgrade authorities to halt plans
to destroy a Roma settlement amid fears that an eviction could be imminent.
At least 70 families living in an informal settlement in the Vidikovac
area of the Serbian capital, many of whom fled there after being forcibly
evicted from other sites, could be left homeless again if the demolition
goes ahead. ”The authorities have yet to find a long-term solution
for Roma who, after seeing their homes repeatedly destroyed, live in constant
fear of being evicted at any time without warning,? said Sian Jones, Amnesty
Internationals expert on Serbia.
Under international law, evictions can only be carried out as a last resort,
once all other alternatives have been exhausted. The Belgrade authorities
have not offered the families any alternative accommodation or compensation.
They have failed to consult the community, instead issuing them with two
eviction notices in April and mid-June, the latter threatening the settlement
with eviction from early July.
The city authorities have no respect for the Roma peoples dignity and
human rights, we have been suffering discrimination in this society for
far too long,? a Roma activist, who wants to remain anonymous due to fear
of eviction, told Amnesty International after her visit to Vidikovac on
30 July. The youngest of the Vidikovac residents are the most vulnerable
to forced evictions. We are talking about kids with no chance to live normally.
They cant learn like other children, their health is at risk.?
Thirty-five of the families at risk of eviction joined the Vidikovac settlement
in April 2010, when their homes on the other side of the street were destroyed
by the Belgrade authorities. They were offered no alternative accommodation,
assistance or compensation.
Another 20 families arrived at site after being evicted from a nearby
area without prior notice, leaving them unable to rescue anything but the
few belongings they could carry. Promises of food and assistance from the
authorities failed to materialise. This vicious circle of forced
evictions can only be broken through the development of a sustainable resettlement
plan, which ensures the right to adequate housing for all affected communities,?
said Sian Jones.
Many of the Roma families living in Vidikovac were forcibly returned to
Serbia from several EU states between 2006 and 2008. Many had left
Southern Serbia in the 1990s in search for work and, after failing to find
adequate housing or employment when returned to their home towns, joined
informal Roma settlements across Belgrade.
The Belgrade authorities have reportedly said the city’s settlements will
be removed because they lack proper sanitation. However, they have not
specified where families living on the site can be relocated or how their
human rights will be protected when their homes are demolished. The
authorities act as if it is our fault that we live in the settlements,
as if it is our choice. What other choice have we got? If you are Roma
you haven’t got many choices,? the Roma activist said.
Amnesty Internationals Demand Dignity campaign aims to end the human
rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty. The campaign will
mobilise people all over the world to demand that governments, corporations
and others who have power listen to the voices of those living in poverty
and recognise and protect their rights.
For more information visit
http://demanddignity.amnesty.org/campaigns-en/
Fonte:
www.amnesty.org
3 August 2010 - AI Index: PRE01/268/2010
Amnesty International today urged the Belgrade authorities to halt plans
to destroy a Roma settlement amid fears that an eviction could be imminent.
At least 70 families living in an informal settlement in the Vidikovac
area of the Serbian capital, many of whom fled there after being forcibly
evicted from other sites, could be left homeless again if the demolition
goes ahead. ”The authorities have yet to find a long-term solution
for Roma who, after seeing their homes repeatedly destroyed, live in constant
fear of being evicted at any time without warning,? said Sian Jones, Amnesty
Internationals expert on Serbia.
Under international law, evictions can only be carried out as a last resort,
once all other alternatives have been exhausted. The Belgrade authorities
have not offered the families any alternative accommodation or compensation.
They have failed to consult the community, instead issuing them with two
eviction notices in April and mid-June, the latter threatening the settlement
with eviction from early July.
The city authorities have no respect for the Roma peoples dignity and
human rights, we have been suffering discrimination in this society for
far too long,? a Roma activist, who wants to remain anonymous due to fear
of eviction, told Amnesty International after her visit to Vidikovac on
30 July. The youngest of the Vidikovac residents are the most vulnerable
to forced evictions. We are talking about kids with no chance to live normally.
They cant learn like other children, their health is at risk.?
Thirty-five of the families at risk of eviction joined the Vidikovac settlement
in April 2010, when their homes on the other side of the street were destroyed
by the Belgrade authorities. They were offered no alternative accommodation,
assistance or compensation.
Another 20 families arrived at site after being evicted from a nearby
area without prior notice, leaving them unable to rescue anything but the
few belongings they could carry. Promises of food and assistance from the
authorities failed to materialise. This vicious circle of forced
evictions can only be broken through the development of a sustainable resettlement
plan, which ensures the right to adequate housing for all affected communities,?
said Sian Jones.
Many of the Roma families living in Vidikovac were forcibly returned to
Serbia from several EU states between 2006 and 2008. Many had left
Southern Serbia in the 1990s in search for work and, after failing to find
adequate housing or employment when returned to their home towns, joined
informal Roma settlements across Belgrade.
The Belgrade authorities have reportedly said the city’s settlements will
be removed because they lack proper sanitation. However, they have not
specified where families living on the site can be relocated or how their
human rights will be protected when their homes are demolished. The
authorities act as if it is our fault that we live in the settlements,
as if it is our choice. What other choice have we got? If you are Roma
you haven’t got many choices,? the Roma activist said.
Amnesty Internationals Demand Dignity campaign aims to end the human
rights violations that drive and deepen global poverty. The campaign will
mobilise people all over the world to demand that governments, corporations
and others who have power listen to the voices of those living in poverty
and recognise and protect their rights.
For more information visit
http://demanddignity.amnesty.org/campaigns-en/
Saurce:
www.amnesty.org
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