|
News
Tuesday, March 7, 2000
United Nations rejects report
By NATION Reporter
and Correspondent
The United Nations has rejected the
government's report on economic, social and cultural rights.
The report was declared
sub-standard and inadequate, the convenor of Housing and Land
Rights Committee, Habitat International Coalition, Mr Miloon
Kothari, said yesterday
Mr Kothari said the government
cited lack of adequate resources as reason why the report was
sub-standard.
"We returned the report to the
government, gave them technical assistance but despite all these
they are yet to present their report," he said.
Mr Kothari, who was speaking at the
Public Forum on Housing and Land Rights at a Nairobi hotel, said
the government had not submitted satisfactory reports since
ratifying the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights in January, 1976.
He, however, said the Committee
expected the rejected report to be re-written before the next one
is due on June 30.
Mr Kothari said the government was
required to regularly submit reports on the steps it was taking to
ensure economic, social and cultural rights for its citizens.
He said human rights regarding land
and housing had deteriorated.
Mr Kothari added that many people
have been evicted from their homes since the government ratified
the convention.
He explained that the World Bank
and the International Monetary Fund had withheld funds because of
the government's failure to meet its obligations.
Public Forum convenor Davinder
Lamba said it was trying to shed light on the government's
performance in human rights and changes that could be made to
improve the situation.
Squatters from Kibwezi, Wote,
Katelembo, Mahera, Soweto, Mitumba and Muungano wa Wanavijiji and
Ogiek community members gave their views during the occasion.
The groups said their efforts to
get title deeds have been frustrated by the government.
They vowed not to leave their homes
at all costs.
Link : http://www.nationaudio.com/News/DailyNation/07032000/News/News48.html
|
