NEW – News

Not to proceed to give Mr Sutiyoso the award

Jakarta Metropolitan City will receive the award in behalf of the city from UN-Habitat for his achievement in "slums improving and building new infrastructure to create an inclusive, cosmopolitan city". Although Governor Sutiyoso has a terrible record of violating the housing and livelihood rights of the urban poor of Jakarta.

UN Secretary General on the occasion of World Habitat Day 2005

'The build-up of slums and informal settlements occurs in large part because of policies and exclusionary practices that deny public services and basic facilities - including water, sanitation, health and education - to informal settlements that are deemed illegal. Moreover, community-based efforts to redress such problems often face political and bureaucratic obstacles. But evictions and demolitions are not the answer to the challenges of rapid urbanization. We must have pro-poor, participatory urban development in which women and men are empowered to manage their communities, and where development is carried out with respect for human rights and in accordance with international law.'

Urgent Action: La Parota Dam, Mexico

TOMÁS CRUZ ZAMORA of the community of Huamuchitos, Bienes Comunales de Cacahuatepec, was murdered on 18 September by Cirilo Cruz, after participating in an Assembly of communal farmers and rural residents opposed to the construction of the Parota Dam, held in the municipality of Acapulco, Guerrero.

Afghanistan – Housing for Poor & Homeless Women

Housing for a million women planned. Lack of shelter is a huge issue in Afghanistan as millions of returned refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) slowly seek to pick up their lives, only to find their villages and streets destroyed. Many households are headed by women who suffer badly from poverty, discrimination and lack of opportunity.

Farmers Rights and Demands in Egypt

On the occasion of the Egyptian Presidential and People's council elections (september 2005), the LCHR in collaboration with its' farmer partners in the different governorates have prepared the Farmers Document, and we hope that CSOs in Egypt organize campaigns to implement these demands for a better world and a safe and a decent ife for all Egyptians