Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is Forced Eviction?
Forced eviction is a Coerced or forceful displacement of a person from their dwelling against the will of the person without providing for an alternative space or any legal protection.
It impacts the individual’s cultural, economical, social functioning. Apart from the loss of a home, the psychological impact that follows is even worse.
For more details refer to http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FS25.Rev.1.pdf
2. Why do Forced Evictions happen? (Reasons)
The major reason for the the forced evictions to occur are elucidated below:
- Developmental Projects like building of a dam or roads.
- Upcoming Mega Events like Olympics, Commonwealth Games etc.
- City Beautification, Urban “renewals”.
- Privatisations.
- Large scale Land Acquisitions or Lease.
- Urban Planning.
- Mining, extraction or other exploitative industrial activities.
Refer to http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/FS25.Rev.1.pdf for more details.
3. How to respond to forced evictions?
In case of a forced eviction, the individuals can firstly indulge in Conducting an ‘Eviction Impact Assessment’. The other steps would include:
- Filing a Writ Petition or a Public Interest Litigation
- Documentation of the Eviction and the events that are followed.
- Mobilize the community members and organise community campaigns.
- File an RTI to seek the information regarding the provisions for rehabilitation and resettlement.
4. Who are the actors to engage with in case of Forced evictions?
At such time of distress an individual can reach out to
- Appropriate government agencies or officials to help in preventing the evictions.
- National and State level Human rights institutions like NHRC.
- Civil Society organizations working for the Housing Rights.
- Media.
- International networks and Organisations which work specifically for the housing and land rights of individuals.
For developing a deeper understanding regarding this you can visit
http://www.hic-sarp.org/documents/Handbook_on_Forced_Evictions.pdf
5. How are Human Rights affected during a forced eviction?
Forced evictions are a gross violation of fundamental human rights. A range of the Internationally recognised human rights including the right to adequate housing and land, food, health, education, water and sanitation are impacted when an individual faces the circumstances of forced evictions. People are left homeless and destitutes and therefore increasing the problems on their side.
6. What does the Human right to Adequate Housing mean?
The right to adequate housing specifies about the creation of safe and secure places to live. It also considers the right to an adequate standard of living with all the basic necessities of life. The right to adequate housing encompasses not only the physical means of a home but also the non-material adequacies in a human life.
It is defined in the First Special rapporteur on Adequate housing and can be accessed through http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Housing/Pages/HousingIndex.aspx
7. How is the human right to Adequate Housing protected in India?
The right to Adequate Housing is not directly talked about in the constitution of India but is encompassed in the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. The right to adequate housing in india emanates from the Article 21, which talks about the right to life. For a detailed understanding , one can refer to http://hlrn.org.in/documents/Handbook_UN_Guidelines.pdf
8. How is the Human right to Adequate Housing protected under International Laws, Policy and Guidelines?
International legally binding human rights instruments obliges the State to take steps toward realisation of the right to adequate housing.
It is also protected through various UN Conventions, Guidelines and Declarations.
9. Which are the Indian Organisations working on Housing Rights?
New Delhi
Basti Bachao Sangharsh Samiti
Human Rights Law Network
576 Masjid Road, Jungpura
New Delhi – 110014
Phone: (011) 2437-4501 / 2437-9855
E-mail: contact@hrln.org
www.hrln.org
National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights
8/1 South Patel Nagar, Second Floor
New Delhi – 110008
Phone: (011) 4566-8341 / 4503-7897
E-mail: info@ncdhr.org.in
www.ncdhr.org.in
Nazdeek
1/33 Double Storey Building, Jungpura New Delhi – 110014
Phone: (+91) 87115-55098
E-mail: info@nazdeek.org
www.nazdeek.org
ActionAid India
R-7 Hauz Khas Enclave
New Delhi – 110016
Phone: (011) 4064-0521
www.actionaid.org/india
Housing and Land Rights Network
G-18/1 Nizamuddin West, Lower Ground Floor
New Delhi – 110013
Phone: (011) 4054-1680
E-mail: contact@hlrn.org.in
www.hlrn.org.in
Andhra Pradesh
Campaign on Housing and Tenurial Rights (CHATRI)
H. No. 4-6-509, Esamia Bazar, Koti
Hyderabad – 500027
Phone: (040) 2474-8018
E-mail: chatri_hydr@yahoo.co.in
Association of Regional Tribal Development
1-202, Jodugullapalem, Vishalakshinagar (Post)
Vishakapatnam – 530043
Phone: (+91) 970-410-5886
E-mail: vizagslums@gmail.com
Maharashtra
Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA)
5 & 6 New Maigaon Municipal School, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Dadar (East)
Mumbai – 400012
Phone: (022) 2411-6393 / 2411-6394
E-mail: yuvacentre@yuvaindia.org
www.yuvaindia.org
Committee for the Right to Housing
PPC Chawl, Plot 341 (Near Ram Mandir), Kherwadi, Bandra East
Mumbai – 400051
Phone: (022) 2291-6941
E-mail: crhmumbai@rediffmail.com
Ghar Bachao, Ghar Banao Andolan
20/21, Haji Habib Building
Naigaon Cross Road
Dadar (E)
Mumbai 40020
Phone: (022) 2415-0529/09958660556
Karnataka
Slum Jagathu
771, Second Main, 23rd Cross, Laxmanrao Nagar
Bangalore – 560047
Phone: (+91) 948-045-2037
E-mail: slumjagathu@gmail.com
Alternative Law Forum
122/4 Infantry Road, Bangalore – 560 001
Phone: (080) 2286-8757
Email: contact@altlawforum.org
www.altlawforum.org
Peoples Union for Civil Liberties – Karnataka
‘Pauline’, Muller Road, Valencia
Mangalore
Phone: (+91) 90088-20186
E-mail: puclblr@gmail.com
Bihar
Nidan
304, Maurya Tower, Block C, Maurya Lok Complex
Patna – 800001
Phone: (0612) 222-0772
E-mail: nidanpatna@rediffmail.com
Ashray Abhiyan
Madhya Pradesh
Deen Bandhu Samaj Sahyog
57-C Suryadev Nagar, CAT Road
Indore – 452009
Phone: (+91) 989-364-288
E-mail: dbss_hr@rediffmail.com
Uttar Pradesh
Vigyan Foundation
D-3191, Indira Nagar
Lucknow – 226016
Phone: (0522) 401-2879
E-mail: vigyanfoundation@gmail.com
www.vigyanfoundation.org
Laxmi
M 176, Sector 12, Pratap Vihar
Ghaziabad – 201009
Phone: (+91) 96502 00773
E-mail: laxmisanstha@gmail.com
West Bengal
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Manch (MASUM)
Balaji Place (Fourth Floor), 40 A Barabagan Lane, Shibtala, Srirampur, Hooghly
Kolkata – 712203
Phone: (033) 2622-0844 / 2622-0845
E-mail: masumindia@gmail.com
Sristy for Human Society
Jagadishpur, Rajarhat
Kolkata –700135
Phone: (033) 2162-7532/ (+91) 9830873614
E-mail: sristy2006@rediffmail.com
Jharkhand
Adarsh Seva Sansthan
Opposite Fourth Phase, Adarsh Nagar, Sonari
Jamshedpur – 831011
Phone: (0657) 231-4098
E-mail: ases_jsr@sify.com
Tamil Nadu
Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities
175/12, Chennai Flats, Padi Kuppam Road
Chennai – 600040
Phone: (044) 2615-0769
Gujarat
Rehthan Adhikar Manch
Street 22, Hari Om Park, Udgam School Slope, Driving Road, Thaltej Chowkdi
Ahmedabad – 380054
Phone: (+91) 94261-73764
Janvikas
C/105, Royal Chinmay, Near Judges Bungalows, Bodakdev
Ahmedabad – 380054
Phone: (079) 2685-7745
E-mail: janvikas@janvikas.in / janvikas_ahm@vsnl.net
www.janvikas.in
Swaman / Slum Women’s Federation India
28 Akash Ganga Society, Near ICICI Bank
Bharuch – 392001
Phone: (+91) 92288-51459
SAATH
O/102 Nandanvan
Near Prerna Tirth Dehrasar
Jodhpur
Ahmedabad 380 015
Phone: (079) 2692-9827, 2692-6604
E-mail: mail@saath.org
Samata Trust
208-A, Vidhata Township (opposite Choryasi Dairy)
Parvat Patiya RD, Near Geeta Nagar, Dhumbal,
Surat – 3951001
Phone: (+91) 9879277864
Assam
Society for Social Transformation and Environmental Protection
All Boro Primary Teachers Association Building, DPS Road, Katabari
Guwahati
Phone: (0361) 227-9900
E-mail: sstepghy@gmail.com
Manipur
Human Rights Alert
Kwakeithel Thiyam Leikai
Imphal – 795001
Phone: (+91) 98620-08838 / 87947-42009
E-mail: hramanipur@gmail.com
Odisha
All Odisha Roadside Vendors Association
Plot Number 212, Shastri Nagar, Unit 4
Bhubaneswar
Phone: (+91) 94381-82775
National
National Forum for Housing Rights
Secretariat
123/A, Krishna Niwas
West Boring Canal Road
Patna – 800001, Bihar
Phone: (+91) 9934910579
E-mail: nfhrindia@gmail.com
10. Which the international Organisations working on Housing rights?
The list of organisations is:
Habitat International Coalition
ESCR-Net
Witness
Amnesty International
International Accountability Project
Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
Displacement Research and Action Network
Brookings Institution
www.brookings.edu/research/topics/internal-displacement
11. What are the UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development based Evictions and displacement?
The UN Basic Principle and Guidelines provides assistance for the States to formulate policies and legislations to prevent forced evictions at the local level. They address the consequences of the developmental projects in the urban and rural areas.
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Housing/Guidelines_en.pdf
12. What is the status of Forced Evictions and displacement in India?
The evictions in India have been rising on an alarming high rate since the time of Independence. This can be accounted to its high rate of development. The statistics related to forced evictions and displacement in India can be accessed through