Video Statement on the Right to Housing at the UN Habitat Side Meeting on Human Rights by Ms. Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Excellencies, distinguished panelists, ladies and gentlemen,

I'm delighted to have the opportunity to address this ground-breaking UN-Habitat forum on the human rights dialogue. Your presence today demonstrates your recognition that urbanization is not only an economic and a political process but, above all, one that must be grounded in human dignity, contributing to the elimination of inequalities and discrimination.

This work is vital. With more than half the world's people living today in cities, and population growing rapidly, urbanization is a global Issue. Every day, new migrants arrive — often, destitute, having suffered the sudden withdrawal of their livelihoods because of land grabs or conflict. They may initially have little or no access to employment or basic services.

In many places, urbanization is accompanied by the creation of more slums. What we mean by this simple, ugly word is more people living in inadequate living conditions that violate their human right to an adequate standard of living; their human right to decent conditions of housing; and quite possibly their human rights to education and health.

Perhaps I should emphasize this: proper housing, clean water, adequate education and healthcare are not merely commodities that are purchased or distributed by various political and economic systems in various ways. They constitute inalienable human rights of all people, regardless of their social status and origin.  

The right to adequate housing requires security of tenure — protection from eviction and displacement — and access to services, as well as affordability. It is about fighting homelessness, poverty and marginalization. The process of urbanization — as well as the policies that drive and support those processes — cannot be based solely on economic and financial data that disregard the underlying human reality.

I commend UN-Habitat for realizing this, and for championing a human rights-based model for urbanization that pays particular attention to the rights and needs of all individuals and groups, without discrimination.

This model will ensure the free, active and meaningful participation of all in development processes — in particular the most marginalized — with the priority of improving the living conditions, security and dignity of the most vulnerable members of society.

Urban and spatial development should be done with and for city dwellers. This means wide consultation and participation of all inhabitants, not only the most powerful and wealthy. It requires transparent decisions and processes that include mechanisms for complaints and dispute resolution.  Equitable and sustainable urbanization is a process that must ensure that duty-bearers are fully accountable. Corruption, in particular, eats away the human rights of those without access to the levers of power, and this must be vigorously combated, so that the rule of law can be upheld.

And perhaps above all other factors, urban development must address the root causes of prejudice and discrimination that violate the principles of the equality and dignity of all. Too often, the policies and processes of urban development fail to consider the needs and aspirations — and perhaps even the very existence — of the poor, people living in informal settlements, migrants, refugees, people living with disabilities or the elderly. The voices of women, people from various national or ethnic groups or certain "castes" may not be given any consideration whatsoever.

This results in city development that further marginalizes and discriminates against those most in need. Such development is economically and politically counterproductive. It cannot be sustainable, for it violates fundamental human rights. 

The entitlement of all to participate in decision-making processes, via freedom of speech and assembly, information, consultation and the right to vote — to name a few — is crucial to sustainable and equitable urban development. 
 
In closing, I'd like to acknowledge the role of Dr. Joan Clos in championing this human-rights-based approach to urbanization under UN-Habitat’s strong mandate to promote the right to adequate housing. I am confident that as UN-Habitat applies this powerful framework, it will become even more effective in meeting the pressing urban challenges of our time.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have every confidence that today's panel will serve the opportunity of Habitat III to make our interventions in urban areas more coherent and better coordinated. Let us work in partnership — including through our joint Housing Rights Programme — to make cities a place of equal opportunity for all, where people can live in security, peace and dignity, and the right to adequate housing is a reality for all.

Thank you

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