A/HRC/55/53
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
25 January 2024
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fifty-fifth session
26 February–5 April 2024
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Resettlement after evictions and displacement: addressing
a human rights crisis
Report of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component
of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to
non-discrimination in this context, Balakrishnan Rajagopal*
Summary
In the present report, submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council
resolution 52/10, the Special Rapporteur elaborates on the current state of crisis with respect
to resettlement of persons following evictions and displacement, which negatively affects the
right to adequate housing and other human rights. While evictions and displacement are
recognized as major human rights concerns, negative outcomes with regard to resettlement
have yet to be acknowledged as a significant human rights issue globally. Such negative
outcomes result in serious violations of the rights of those affected, including the right to
adequate housing. With the present report, the Special Rapporteur aims to launch a clarion
call to prevent and counteract the poor outcomes and negative impacts of resettlement in an
age that is witnessing increased displacement caused by disasters, development, conflict,
uncontrolled use of eminent domain, urbanization, industrial agriculture, climate change and
other drivers. In the present report, the Special Rapporteur reviews existing standards in
international human rights law on resettlement, its main drivers and the key reasons for the
poor outcomes of resettlement and explores alternative pathways to improve the record of
resettlement. He concludes with recommendations for avoiding and reducing the harm
caused by displacement and poor resettlement outcomes and argues for the development of
comprehensive global principles and guidelines to ensure that resettlement is undertaken in
full compliance with human rights.
* The present report was submitted after the deadline in order to reflect the most recent developments.
GE.24-00501 (E)
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