Nairobi, October 11th, 2017
The Global Platform
for the Right to the City members, friends and allies from all around the
world, gathered in Nairobi, make a global
call for the right to the city,
and the universal opposition to forced
evictions and displacements.
Forced
evictions are a gross violation of human rights. According to international
standards and commitments, national and local governments are asked to (1) take
preventive measures; (2) ensure sufficient protection; and (3) guarantee that
safeguards are taken prior, during and after evictions. Forced evictions are a
threat to a peaceful and decent life. Forced evictions cause terror and
suffering for the most disadvantaged, with devastating consequences for
children and women[i].
One
year ago, at the Habitat III conference held in Quito, 197 states approved the
New “Urban” Agenda, where they reaffirmed their commitment to prevent arbitrary
forced evictions and displacements and provide dignified and adequate
reallocation[ii]. States also recognized that property and land
in cities and human settlements must fulfil their social function, a
fundamental component of the right to the city[iii].
Nevertheless, despite
those commitments, these gross violations are still happening all over the
world. The New Urban Agenda embraced the Right to the City vision, understood
as the right of all inhabitants (present and future; permanent and temporary)
to use, occupy, produce, govern and enjoy just, inclusive, safe and sustainable
cities, villages and settlements defined as common goods. Forced evictions are
a clear threat to that shared vision.
Today, we express our
solidarity with the people who face forced evictions, displacements, and loss
of their homes, lands, and livelihoods. Today, we salute the courage of
hundreds of organizations and their relentless struggle for the right to the
city and social justice. Today we commit to work together to prevent and
denounce Forced Evictions and to support the affected communities.
In this sense, we –
social movements, non-governmental organizations, networks and forums, academic
institutions, public sector, foundations and international organizations-
urgently call
upon states to respect their commitments under the global agendas and human
rights treaties, guarantee the social function of land and property, implement
the right to the city and immediately prevent and remedy forced evictions. We
will continue monitoring and denouncing these actions as gross human rights
violations. We will also continue mobilizing to defend our territories and
livelihoods.
STOP FORCED
EVICTIONS AND DISPLACEMENTS!
RIGHT TO HOUSING AND
RIGHT TO LAND NOW!
RIGHT TO THE CITY
FOR ALL!
Call to action: We need more voices from
across the globe to make us heard. Please spread this Global Call and share
Forced Evictions cases with #StopForcedEvictions and #RighttotheCity on
Wednesday 11 of October at 17:00, Kenya time. (Click here to check your local time)
List of cases:
1.
Zimbabwe. Evictions in Manzou Farm http://bit.ly/2yC0PZx
2.
Chennai. Over 400 families evicted in Chennai
under
the guise of ‘restoration of water bodies’
and
disaster management http://bit.ly/2g7AzyG
3.
Johannesburg. Fattis Mansion Residents Question the Legality of their forced
Eviction http://bit.ly/2yCVilA
4.
Otodo Gbame, Lagos, Nigeria. Thousands Displaced as Police Raze Lagos’ Otodo
Gbame http://bit.ly/2yChyfg
5.
One million displaced in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasai: UN
http://bit.ly/2g8tkGU
6.
Italy: Police Beat Refugees During Eviction http://bit.ly/2yD2jD5
7.
Diyarbakir. Kurds forced to leave historic Turkey’s Sur district hit by
violence http://bit.ly/2yC65ML
8.
Negev: Israel razes Palestinian village for 113th time http://bit.ly/2yCniGb
9.
Expelled Mexican Christians forced to live in wine cellar http://bit.ly/2yCn95h
10.
Al-Sharq governerate, Kuwait. ‘Should we leave country’ – Fishermen without
homes
http://bit.ly/2yCG93H
11.
Forced evictions in Kolkata for the
Federation
of International Football Associations’ (FIFA). Under-17 World Cup 2
http://bit.ly/2xwd4qG
12.
6 Cas D’evictions Forcees de Douala-Cameroun: Nkomba, PK14-17, Bepanda Axe
Lourd, Bepanda Boulevard, Emprise Ferroviaire, et Corres http://bit.ly/2xy32VM
[i] The right to adequate housing (Art.11.1): forced
evictions : 20/05/97. CESCR General comment 7
[ii] New Urban Agenda, pars 31, 107 and 111.
[iii] idem, par. 13 a)