Roma Forcibly Evicted by Romanian Officials

07 February 2004

Several Romani families were evicted, and their homes were destroyed, on May 21, 2003, from Lake Văcăreşti in Bucharest's Fourth District, according to a May 22, 2003 report by electronic news source Inforrom. The families had reportedly been living there illegally for several years. Two inspectors from the Fourth District Mayor's Office, Ms Marian Goleac and Mr Liviu Costică, accompanied by police, public guardians and journalists, led the demolition of the homes. Two of the houses were made of brick, and two others were improvised tents constructed with wire fencing. According to Inforrom, after the homes were demolished, the inspectors brought the evicted Roma to the city limits and told them to return to Bolintin, where the majority of the Roma are registered. According to Inforrom, one of the families was living in the home with permission of the owner. Authorities reportedly stated they would clarify the status of the displaced people.

Forced evictions violate Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which guarantees all people the right to adequate housing. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) found, in its General Comment 4, that "Notwithstanding the type of tenure, all persons should possess a degree of security of tenure which guarantees legal protection against forced eviction, harassment and other threats" and that "instances of forced eviction are prima facie incompatible with the requirements of the Covenant and can only be justified in the most exceptional circumstances [?]." As a result of concerns related to the ability of Roma to effectively realise the right to adequate housing in a number of countries including Romania, on December 10, 2003, the ERRC presented comments concerning the housing rights of Roma in Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Turkey to the European Committee of Social Rights, timed for that body's comprehensive review of states, compliance with Article 16 of the European Social Charter and Revised European Social Charter, providing for the right to social protection, including housing.

(ERRC, Inforrom)