Press Releases

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

Published in Friday August 5th, 2011 In News

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.

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

Published in Tuesday July 19th, 2011 In News

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

Published in Thursday July 7th, 2011 In News

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.

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Press release – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Haiti

Published in Wednesday June 22nd, 2011 In News

OHCHR is deeply concerned by the situation of respect for the right to adequate housing in Haiti, most especially for people living in post-earthquake camps and in urban informal settlements – sometimes referred to as slums. With implications for affordability and access to sanitation and clean water, the right to adequate housing is inextricably linked to other human rights – to health, water, employment, education and physical integrity. OHCHR believes the successful reconstruction and long-term security and stability of Haiti depend in part upon realization of the right to adequate housing.

PRESS RELEASE – Brazil off-course for World Cup and Olympics

Published in Tuesday April 26th, 2011 In News

GENEVA (26 April 2011) – As Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games, the Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council on the right to adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik, said Tuesday she has received many allegations concerning displacement and evictions potentially leading to violations of human rights.

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PRESS RELEASE – Right to housing in Argentina: violations despite State commitment

Published in Wednesday April 20th, 2011 In News

BUENOS AIRES-GENEVA: “I commend the Government’s decision of 2003 to consider housing a responsibility of the State, but I’m very concerned about violent evictions taking place in various regions of the country and the lack of more comprehensive promotion of adequate housing in Argentina, “said UN Special Rapporteur Raquel Rolnik, as she concluded her official mission to the country (13-21 April 2011).

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PRESS RELEASE – Water and Sanitation: A human right for all, even slum-dwellers and the homeless

Published in Tuesday March 22nd, 2011 In News

GENEVA (22 March 2011) – On the occasion of World Water Day, 22 March 2011, the UN Independent Expert on water and sanitation, Catarina de Albuquerque, the Independent Expert on extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda, and the Special Rapporteur on housing, Ms. Raquel Rolnik, issued the following joint statement:

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PRESS RELEASE – Most of two hundred million migrants denied basic right to housing

Published in Friday October 22nd, 2010 In News

NEW YORK/GENEVA (22 October 2010) – “The inadequate and often appalling housing conditions faced by millions of international migrants around the world are mainly the result of discriminatory practices. This situation can be redressed only through the adoption of a truly human rights-based approach,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik, during the presentation of her annual report* to the General Assembly in New York today.

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PRESS RELEASE – Better city and better life for whom? UN Expert asks on World Habitat Day

Published in Monday October 4th, 2010 In News

GENEVA, Sept 4 (KUNA) — The Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council on the Right to Adequate Housing, Raquel Rolnik emphasized on Saturday Better city, better life “must be translated into policies that respect and promote the enjoyment of human rights”.

PRESSE RELEASE – Human Rights Council extends mandates on Housing, Indigenous People, Protecting Human Rights while Countering Terrorism and Mercenaries

Published in Thursday September 30th, 2010 In News

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted 12 texts in which it, among other things extended for three years the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living; the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; and the Working Group on the use of mercenaries.