Penalization of people living in poverty 2011, para. 30

Paragraph
Paragraph text
Criminal or regulatory measures (e.g. ordinances) that make vagrancy and begging unlawful are becoming increasingly common across developed and developing countries. These laws take a number of forms, from legislation that prohibits the solicitation of money in any public space to that which prohibits begging at night or in an "aggressive manner". Some of these laws have a broad application, extending to the performance of any activity which might elicit money, such as performing or dancing, or exposing a wound or a deformity. In some States, it is even illegal for a person just to be in a public place and have no visible means of subsistence, such that it is likely that they stay alive by begging.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Governance & Rule of Law
  • Violence
Person(s) affected
  • All
Year
2011
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
30