 |
|
|
__Human Rights and urbanism
As with other economic, social and cultural rights, the right
to adequate housing has taken a while to be genuinely accepted
as a fundamental human right. Having a secure place to live is
considered being one of the"fundamental elements for human
dignity, physical and mental health and overall quality of life,
which enables development". This recognition led in the year
2000 to the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on adequate housing
as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living.
There was a time when it was argued that rights such as the right
to housing could not be legislated and was not judiciable. I believe
these kinds of obstacles are being overcome as countries are introducing
appropriate legislation. South Africa is probably the most advanced
country in this respect by having included an article on the right
to adequate housing in its new Constitution. Legislation is the
first step and implementation the next. The Special Rapporteur stated at the 59th session of the Commission on Human Rights held earlier this year, that he defined the right to adequate housing as the "right of every woman, man youth and child to gain and sustain a secure home and community in which to live in peace and dignity". He also stated that "adequate housing cannot be fully realized if separated with other rights such as the rights to food, water, sanitation, electricity, health, work, property, security of the person, security of home and protection against inhuman and degrading treatment. And I would add education to this list. He would be giving particular attention to the needs of the poor in state policies and strategies, of women, of persons with disability, and to the impact of globalisation and privatisation on the poor. The state adheres to the international human rights instruments. So it is the state that guarantees the implementation of the provisions of these instruments. The city is part of the state and presumably its authority must assume responsibility for taking steps to promote these rights and have them respected within the area of its jurisdiction. What a challenge! What a task when I think of cities such as
Lima or Manila, Delhi or Cairo, or Nairobi or La Paz, among some
of the cities I have been to and where I saw the acres of shanty
towns surrounding them. I saw with my own eyes how the people
live. I have also been to the poor quarters in these cities where
people live only marginally better. There one cannot escape the
stark reality that adequate housing cannot be separated from the
right to water and to sanitation, and to food, but also to education.
There is no place in the hovels for children to learn, to do their
homework. Families share a one?room hovel and often have to take
turns sleeping. Learning seems not very real and education of
their children is not the immediate need for survival. So, many
children go and beg in the city streets instead of going to school.
And in many instances, there are no schools for them to go to
in any event. Even in the industrialized world, I wonder which city can claim to meet the human rights standards set out in the various human rights instruments. I believe the right to adequate housing is a problem everywhere. Too many people are homeless. Tenants are insecure because they know if their rents are raised any further they will no longer be able to meet the monthly payments. Even in this city, the city of Geneva, there is a lack of affordable housing, and every now and again we read of persons being evicted by force from dwellings they had occupied and had made their home. In many cities there is a hovering insecurity many tenants suffer because of the constant threat of an increase they may not be able to meet, or because of apartments and buildings being turned into condominiums which the tenants cannot afford to buy and eventually have to vacate. And there is the constant fear of unemployment; which all too often means the loss of home. To provide adequate housing for all everywhere will take tremendous will and colossal resources. Resources are not lacking on our earth, nor is the knowledge and the technology to make our cities, and the country side for that matter, a healthy liveable home for every citizen. But the resources and knowledge and technology are not invested in the well?being of the populations. Why is it that there is always so much money for war and so little for peace? Housing, food, water, fuel, education, health are components of the right of all to enjoy an adequate standard of living. How can governments and local authorities guarantee that these rights will be met? Implementation of these rights assumes a comprehensive approach to planning, assembling and allocating resources, and setting priorities. It seems logical that this should be done through strengthened public services. Unfortunately, the opposite is happening. Public services are being reduced, whole sectors are being privatised. As city dwellers, we should reflect seriously on which way to go. The movement from the land to the cities has been steady as
industrialization progressed. This movement accelerated considerably
on all countries after the Second World War. Added to the internal
population movements is the growing movement of migration from
the economically poor to the rich countries and many say that
this will be the big issue in this century. Displacement of populations,
refugees, and asylum seekers have become an ongoing occurrence
as conflicts multiply and intensify, and as poverty and hunger
force more and more people to leave their homes to seek survival
elsewhere. They usually find their way to the city where they
hope they can eke out some kind of livelihood. I know that personally,
having been a refugee myself. This adds immense pressure on towns and cities. It is particularly so in economically developing countries. But almost everywhere, the authorities and the citizens as a rule are ill prepared to cope with the demands the growing and changing population makes on the city's infrastructure. When employment is high the stresses are more easily absorbed. But when unemployment grows, the vulnerable groups in the city become the scapegoats. These are usually the migrants, the refugees, and those that are just different from the locals. Racism and discrimination of every sort come to the surface, prejudices lead to violence and peaceful neighbourhoods become scenes of criminal acts. In some cities whole areas become dangerous to walk in even in daytime. Women are particular targets of violence. One of my colleagues when asked what freedom meant for her, answered without hesitation: Freedom to me is when I as a woman can walk anywhere in any town at any time without fear. The city is a microcosm. To a large extent it reflects the world we live in. It is therefore a well equipped laboratory for finding ways to building a better community and a better life for all its inhabitants. A large number of non?governmental human rights and peace organizations, including the one I represent, work for the respect of human rights in their community and in their city. Some work uniquely for human rights education. I learned of a fascinating programme of The Peoples Movement for Human Rights Education. It is entitled, "Moving Power to Human Rights, with the specific aim to promote and protect human rights in the city through education. The University of Fribourg is the home of a UNESCO Chair for Human Rights and Democracy. With others it elaborated a European Charter of Human Rights in the Cities. The Charter was adopted by mayors of several dozen European cities in the year 2000. By signing the Charter, city authorities commit to work in national laws that are necessary make in order to remove obstacles to the implementation of the Charter in the cities. The Charter is comprehensive and aims to give reality to the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I wonder how well these initiatives are known. I do not know whether the city of Geneva has adopted this Charter. The city and the town, are the foundation of the nation and the world, it is there where peace and justice sprout. If the Charter of Human rights in the Cities will be adopted universally and implemented then there will be a solid foundation for peace. Geneva, the City of Peace, honoured throughout 2001
its own Nobel Peace Laureates and those of non governmental organizations
installed in the city. The Women's International League was among
them. Geneva is fortunate in being the home of the second largest
UN office and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,
as well as of so many Specialized Agencies and non?governmental
organizations. They make up this international community that
is so often called upon to help individuals as well as nations.
Together they represent a formidable resource of knowledge and
of experience to be tapped. How can this city use this resource
for itself and for others? I could see an ongoing World Forum
tackling the existing issues of our time and those that are emerging. |
