Miloon Kothari, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, shall be going on mission to Iran 19-30 July 2005. Mr. Kothari would highly appreciate any information, advice and recommendations you might wish to provide him with in preparation of this visit. More specifically, he would be interested in knowing your views and receiving your inputs on the following matters (that is, vis-a-vis all that touches on governmental policies and/or actions on housing rights, or which is state sanctioned):
1. Which issues/forms/patterns/trends on housing rights should the Special Rapporteur focus on and give priority?
2. As regards housing rights violations, are there any particular groups/categories of people that the Special Rapporteur should pay particular attention to?
3. Are there any particular cases that the Special Rapporteur should know about in order for him to raise with the authorities and do the necessary follow-up?
4. The Special Rapporteur will be visiting Teheran. Which other towns/areas should be visited in light of particular concerns regarding housing issues?
5. Which authorities should the Special Rapporteur meet with? What are the main concerns to be raised with the specific officials?
6. Which NGOs should the Special Rapporteur meet with? Which NGO or NGO platform could act as coordinator to bring together NGOs/victims to meet with the Special Rapporteur?
7. Are there any intellectuals/religious persons/personalities/members of the opposition who the Special Rapporteur should meet with?
8. Which laws are the most pertinent? Any bills before Parliament which require particular attention?
Please also forward this message to others working on the above-mentioned issues in Iran and kindly provide their contact information.
On behalf of the Special Rapporteur, I would like to thank you in advance for your collaboration and your role in rendering successful this mission.
Paula Martins
UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson 3016
CH – 1211 Geneva
Tel: 00.41.22.917.94.02
Fax: 00 41 22.917.90.10
e-mail: pmartins@ohchr.org