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 NNNN