As articulated by the United Nations, 'International human rights law recognizes
everyoneÕs right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing.
Despite the central place of this right within the global legal system, well over a
billion people are not adequately housed. Millions around the world live in life-
or health threatening conditions, in overcrowded slums and informal settlements,
or in other conditions which do not uphold their human rights and their dignity.
Further millions are forcibly evicted, or threatened with forced
eviction, from their homes every year. Adequate housing was recognized as part of the right to an adequate
standard of living in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
in the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights.
Other international human rights treaties have since recognized or
referred to the right to adequate housing or some elements of it, such as
the protection of oneÕs home and privacy.
The right to adequate housing is relevant to all States, as they have all
ratified at least one international treaty referring to adequate housing
and committed themselves to protecting the right to adequate housing
through international declarations, plans of action or conference outcome
documents. Several constitutions protect the right to adequate housing
or outline the StateÕs general responsibility to ensure adequate housing
and living conditions for all. Courts from various legal systems have also
adjudicated cases related to its enjoyment, covering, for instance, forced
evictions, tenant protection, discrimination in the housing sphere or access
to basic housing-related services'.he right to adequate housing is relevant
to all States, as they have all ratified at least one international treaty
referring to adequate housing and committed themselves to protecting the
right to adequate housing through international declarations, plans of action.
Several constitutions protect the right to adequate housing
or outline the StateÕs general responsibility to ensure adequate housing
and living conditions for all. Courts from various legal systems have also
adjudicated cases related to its enjoyment, covering, forced
evictions, protection, discrimination in the housing sphere or access
to basic housing-related services.'
This text is a contribution in a preliminary version to this vital area with a
direct correlation to human dignity.
Dedicated to Shemi Junior, Always.