Report of the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing as a Component of the Right to an Adequate Standard of Living, and on the Right to Non-Discrimination: Addendum Mission To Romania

During his visits to communities in Bucharest, the Special Rapporteur was able to observe first-hand the situation of the poor and the vulnerable, often living in neglected parts of the city with inadequate civic services both in terms of quality and availability. Effects of these are particularly severe for women and children. In one Roma community, poor housing conditions have led to many children facing health risk and mothers spending more time collecting water, fuel and fodder. The testimonies received validate the indivisibility of human rights - and the centrality that the right to housing has for the overall living conditions. The general finding of the Special Rapporteur is that, in the current context of privatization and structural reforms, unless more protection and adequate social housing - including affordable access to civic services such as heating - are provided, there will be many people facing evictions and inadequate housing conditions, not only among the Roma but the population in general. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges the various laws and strategies adopted by the Government and the challenge that now lies in their implementation. The existing human rights norms and standards on the right to adequate housing and other related rights should guide this process and the strengthening of monitoring mechanisms.