África Subsaariana

Despite the state’s violence, our fight to escape the mud and fire of South Africa’s slums will continue

Published in Tuesday November 12th, 2013 In Opinion

Our movement of shack-dwellers – Abahlali baseMjondolo, representing some of South Africa’s poorest people – was formed in 2005 in Durban and now has more than 12,000 members in more than 60 shack settlements. We campaign against evictions, and for public housing: struggling for a world in which human dignity comes before private profit, and land, cities, wealth and power are shared fairly.

South African Constitutional Court affirms tenants’ rights to challenge excessive rents

Published in Monday November 4th, 2013

The South African Constitutional Court issued a groundbreaking decision on this case, brought by ESCR-Net member SERI (South Africa), affirming the rights of tenants to challenge excessive rents and unfair lease terminations. The Court found that the Rental Housing Act forbid private landlords or tenants from engaging in unfair practices, and determined that the term “unfair practice” must be interpreted in light of the right of access to adequate housing contained in the South African Constitution.

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Forced evictions in Nairobi

Published in Tuesday October 8th, 2013

Amnesty International issued a report regarding the situation of Nairobi residents under the threat of forced evictions, focusing on two informal settlements. ity Carton was demolished in May 2013 and some 400 families were forcibly evicted: many remain homeless. Around 3,000 families living in the other settlement, Deep Sea, fear eviction as the Kenya Urban Road Authority plans to construct a road through the settlement.

Check all the communications sent during the first semester of 2013

Published in Tuesday October 8th, 2013 In Dialogue with countries

Read the communications sent by the Rapporteur and the responses sent by countries.

Claims of illegal eviction in Uganda haunt German firm

Published in Monday August 26th, 2013 In In the media

In 2001, more than 4,000 people were evicted from land in Uganda after it had been acquired by a German coffee firm on a 99 year lease. The company insists the deal was above board, but an NGO is now raising doubts.

High time for justice in Badia East

Published in Tuesday August 13th, 2013 In Social movement news

The Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC) and Amnesty International have published a joint report on the February 23, 2013 mass forced eviction of at least 9,000 persons from the Oke-Ilu-Eri and Ajeromi villages of Badia East, Lagos. Building on SERAC’s longstanding engagement with the affected community, the report marshals evidence given by victims, Lagos State Government officials, and other witnesses.

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If you love your life, move out! Forced eviction in Badia East, Lagos State, Nigeria

Published in Tuesday August 13th, 2013

In February 2013, hundreds of homes and business premises in the informal settlement of Badia East were demolished, devastating the lives of 9,000 people. Residents maintain they were given no notice of the eviction. Nearly six months on, there has been no government support following the loss of their homes and livelihoods, and the overwhelming majority are unable to rent or obtain alternative housing.

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Another landslide in Bududa

Published in Monday August 12th, 2013 In In the media

According to a principal nursing officer at Bududa hospital Zeles Nabusayi Wakubona, among those admitted is a 55-year-old Peretina Nabifo of Namirumba village who was hit on the chest after the walls of the house in which she took shelter crumbled and hit her on the chest.

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9,000 hit by forced evictions in Nigeria

Published in Monday August 12th, 2013 In In the media

Forced evictions in Nigeria’s largest city Lagos have cost around 9,000 people their homes or livelihoods, Amnesty International and a local rights group said in a report. Tens of thousands more could be at risk if the government proceeds with plans to redevelop the slum area of Badia East, said the report, issued jointly with the Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC).

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Lagos state government must stop wave of devastating forced evictions

Published in Monday August 12th, 2013 In Social movement news

It is estimated that close to 9,000 residents of Badia East lost their homes or livelihoods. However senior officials in the Lagos state government had claimed that the area was a rubbish dump.

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