GENEVA (8 December 2023) – The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, will conduct a visit to the Netherlands from 11 to 21 December 2023.

The expert will examine issues relating to housing availability, affordability and accessibility, homelessness, and what measures the Netherlands undertakes to ensure that the right to adequate housing is enjoyed by all population groups in the country.

Due to travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic and other considerations, this will be the first country visit by the Special Rapporteur since his appointment by the Human Rights Council in 2020.

Rajagopal will visit the Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Groningen, as well as reception centres for asylum seekers and persons under international protection. He will hold meetings with national and local officials, civil society representatives and housing providers.

The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference on 21 December 2023 from 15:00 in the Mandela room, at the Asser Institute, R.J. Schimmelpennincklaan 20-22, 2517 JN the Hague. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.

The expert will present his report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2024.