COMMUNICATION FROM UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON ADEQUATE

UNCLAS GENEVA 000800


STATE FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLA, L/HRR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UNHRC
SUBJECT: COMMUNICATION FROM UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON ADEQUATE
HOUSING


1. (U) Mission has received a communication from Raquel Rolnik, the
UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the
right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to
non-discrimination in this context, dated 18 September 2008. This
communication has been sent via e-mail to IO/RHS.


2. (U) Begin text of letter:

Excellency, I have the honour to address you in my capacity as the
new Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the
right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to
non-discrimination in this context, pursuant to Human Rights Council
resolution 6/27.

As your Excellency is aware, as Special Rapporteur, it is my duty to
report on the status, throughout the world, of the realization of
the rights that are relevant to the mandate, in accordance with the
provisions of the relevant instrument, and on developments relating
to these rights, including on laws, policies and good practices most
beneficial to their enjoyment and difficulties and obstacles
encountered domestically and internationally, taking into account
information received from Governments, organizations and bodies of
the United Nations system, other relevant international
organizations and non-governmental organizations.

In this context, I would like to refer to the exchange of letters
with the previous Special Rapporteur, and wish to thank your
Excellency's Government for the invitation you extended to him in
your letter dated 8 June 2007. Due to the change of mandate-holder,
my predecessor was not able to undertake an official visit to your
Excellency's country before ending his term. As the invitation was
extended to the mandate, I would very much appreciate to be able to
undertake such a visit in my official capacity to examine issues of
relevance to my mandate. These issues would include good practices
implemented in many cities, such as rent control and other similar
mechanisms, as well as housing policies for the poor. I would also
be interested in contributing to the debate on the alternatives, in
terms of housing needs, for those affected by the subprime crisis.
Such a mission could take place anytime during the month of February
2009 for a period ten working days.

I would be most grateful for a reply on whether your Excellency's
Government would be agreeable for the visit to take place on the
proposed dates in order to initiate preparations.

I shall remain at your disposal for any question or clarification
and may be contacted through the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (Mr. Bahram Ghazi, Tel: 022 - 917 91 77 or through my
mandate's email: srhousing@ohchr.org),

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest
consideration.

Raquel Rolnik, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component
of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to
non-discrimination in this context

End Text


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