AMARE PRHALA

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

FUNDA ţ IA DESIRE

WORKING GROUP OF CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS (gLOC)

MEDIA ADVISORY AI index: EUR 39/011/2011

30 September 2011

Activists call for the right to housing for all

Amnesty International activists, along with activists in Romania, inhabitants of Romani settlements that have been forcibly evicted and are facing forced evictions, will be gathering in front of the county prefecture in Cluj-Napoca in the north-west of the country on 3 October, World Habitat Day, to call for the right to housing for all and protection from forced eviction for everybody.

The first Monday of every October is observed as World Habitat Day to reflect on the state of our cities and towns and the basic human right to adequate shelter.

In Romania, Amnesty International activists in partnership with local activists and Romani communities affected by forced evictions, are calling on the government to adopt national guidelines on evictions and deal away with structural shortcomings that render thousands of people, the majority Roma, living in informal settlements vulnerable to forced evictions.

The action in Cluj is co-organized by Amnesty International and local non-governmental organizations Amare Prhala, Fundaţia Desire and the Working Group of Civil Organizations (gLOC). They will petition the Minister of Regional Development and Tourism to bring the new Housing Law under consideration in Romania in line with international human rights standards , including protection from forced evictions, prohibition of segregation and adjustment of social housing criteria in order to reach the most vulnerable, including Roma.

What: Action including making carton houses and holding photographs from forced evictions. When: 1500, 3 October 2011

Where: Opposite of the Prefecture in Cluj-Napoca, B-dul 21 Decembrie 1989, Nr. 58 (Regiunea de Nord-Vest a României) Who: Amnesty International, Amare Prhala, Fundaţia Desire, gLOC, other local activists, representatives of Romani communities

See also:

For more information and to arrange an interview with Amnesty International’s experts on Romania, local activists and Roma inhabitants affected by forced evictions, please contact: Amnesty International delegates on 0767 408 569

Enikő Vincze from Fundaţia Desire at 0740137561

Pavel Doghi, Association Amare Prhala: 0743492165