Forced evictions & demolitions during #Covid_19 in Pakistan.
As “Eviction” contradicts the “stay at home” policy, the United Nations has called on member states & governments at all levels to stop all migrations & evictions at this time of pendamic covid-19.
@KarachiUrbanLab
As “Eviction” contradicts the “stay at home” policy, the United Nations has called on member states & governments at all levels to stop all migrations & evictions at this time of pendamic covid-19.
@KarachiUrbanLab
The recent effects of the #COVIDー19 are causing a lot of problems around the world, especially for people who have suffered significant loss of #income. In such a difficult and critical time, ‘#home’ has become a ‘#defense’ against the #coronavirusPandemic.
States around the world are ordering people to stay “at home” to prevent the spread of Covid-19. But at the same time, many states are at risk of being evicted, while at least 150 million people worldwide are homeless and living on temporary shelters or sidewalks.
In light of these circumstances, the United Nations Office for the Human Rights declared that all evictions were prohibited during COVID-19 and that no one and anywhere would be deported for a reasonable period of time after the eradication of the epidemic.
@UNHABITAT called for prevention of all forms of eviction, displacement during #Covid_19 Because displacement, forced evictions of long-term residents especially from #informalsettlements, during epidemic isn't only #violation of #HumanRights law also increases the risk of virus
In addition to many states in the US, authorities have banned evictions in many countries, under which no one can be “evicted” during #coronavirus epidemic. Rules have even been enacted to protect affected residential tenants However, evictions continue in some countries’ cities.
.. a vulnerable & poor class that is at constant risk of eviction by local authorities across the country.
Due to lack of legislation and orders in this regard, #FOUR very tragic and reprehensible incidents of forcible eviction of poor people and livelihoods in #Pakistan took place in the federal capital #Islamabad, #bahawalpur, #Karachi and #Quetta in the middle of #Covid_19.
In #Karachi, authorities are also harassing people living in informal settlements & those involved in the informal economy.
Not only this, but residents (their buildings are not declared dangerous @SBCAgosPK) are living around the #dilapidated, #dangerous buildings in Karachi, are being threatened by the authorities on name of eviction, #bribes are being demanded from the residents to #settlement.
On April 16 2020, in Islamabad, Sector G, #CDA demolished several huts during #Covid_19 & #lockdown, displaced 75 families of daily wage laborers. Similarly, on May 27 2020, local authorities demolished 25 homes of #Hindu community in Chak 52 / DB in Yazman, #bahawalpur district.
Not to be outdone, on June 16 2020, the @KmcPakistan Anti-Encroachment Department confiscated several thellas, stalls, cabins, of fruits and vegetables on the name of an operation against encroachments; in and around the #EmpressMarket in Saddar- Karachi.
The latest incident took place on June 21 2020 in #Quetta, in which the Quetta District Administration, on the orders of @DcQuetta, #demolished more than 400 shops in Kasi Road, Masjid Road and Namko Gali in the name of anti-encroachment campaign.
In these cases of #demolition and forced eviction no authorized agency had informed the victims in advance verbally or in writing, nor provided them with #Food, temporary #shelter, access to #water and #sanitation or any other kind.
Hundreds of people are already “#homeless” in #QuaideAzamColony along #circularrailway track in #Karachi, are in urgent need of help.
Year has passed since their houses were demolished, but despite Supreme Court’s clear direction, no Govt. agency has spoken out to resettle them.
Year has passed since their houses were demolished, but despite Supreme Court’s clear direction, no Govt. agency has spoken out to resettle them.
There is clear possibility of heavy #monsoon #rains in near future & many families in the said population are living under the open sky on rubble of their houses. No shelter was provided to the affected families of #QuaideAzamColony #Karachi even in #severecold & rain last winter
In such circumstances, “@ImranKhanPTI and the Provincial authorities @MuradAliShahPPP @UsmanAKBuzdar have the obligation to #stop any further contemplated #evictions, urgently provide assistance to the #evictees, and guarantee their rights to shelter, food, water and sanitation.
They must also put in place a plan, with the full participation of the ‘evictees’, to find a long-term solution to their housing needs. Destroying the homes of hundreds of persons without any alternative accommodation constitute a grave violation of their right to housing,...
@threadreaderapp please unroll this
