E/C.12/1997/4
page 6
human rights, the lack of development may not be invoked to justify the
abridgement of internationally recognized human rights” (Part I, para. 10).
20.
In accordance with the guidelines for reporting adopted by the
Committee, State Parties are requested to provide various types of information
pertaining directly to the practice of forced evictions. This includes
information relating to (a) the “number of persons evicted within the last
five years and the number of persons currently lacking legal protection
against arbitrary eviction or any other kind of eviction”, (b) “legislation
concerning the rights of tenants to security of tenure, to protection from
eviction” and (c) “legislation prohibiting any form of eviction”. 7
21.
Information is also sought as to “measures taken during, inter alia,
urban renewal programmes, redevelopment projects, site upgrading, preparation
for international events (Olympics and other sporting competitions,
exhibitions, conferences, etc.) 'beautiful city' campaigns, etc. which
guarantee protection from eviction or guarantee rehousing based on mutual
consent, by any persons living on or near to affected sites”. 8 However, few
States Parties have included the requisite information in their reports to the
Committee. The Committee therefore wishes to emphasize the importance it
attaches to the receipt of such information.
22.
Some States Parties have indicated that information of this nature is
not available. The Committee recalls that effective monitoring of the right
to adequate housing, either by the Government concerned or by the Committee,
is not possible in the absence of the collection of appropriate data and would
request all States Parties to ensure that the necessary data is collected and
is reflected in the reports submitted by them under the Covenant.
Notes
1.Report of Habitat: United Nations Conference on Human Settlements,
Vancouver, 31 May-11 June 1976 (A/CONF.70/15), chap. II, recommendation B.8,
para. C (ii).
2.Report of the Commission on Human Settlements on the work of its eleventh
session, Addendum (A/43/8/Add.1), para. 13.
3.Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio
de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, Volume I (A/CONF.151/26/Rev.1(vol.I), annex II,
Agenda 21, chap. 7.9 (b).
4.Report of the United Nations Conference on Settlements (Habitat II)
(A/CONF.165/14), annex II, The Habitat Agenda, para. 40 (n).
5.Commission on Human Rights resolution 1993/77, para. 1.
6.E/1990/23, annex III, paras. 6 and 8 (d).
7.E/C.12/1990/8, annex IV.
8.Ibid.
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