25 May - UNMIS calls upon the Government of Central Equatoria to halt demolitions in Juba

21 Jul 2009

25 May - UNMIS calls upon the Government of Central Equatoria to halt demolitions in Juba

The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) is concerned about the manner in which demolitions have occurred in Juba during the past several months and the lack of alternatives that the Government of Central Equatoria is providing to the people who have lost their homes. Although it is difficult to confirm the exact numbers, as more than 30,000 people, many of them internally displaced, have been left homeless and are living in poor sanitary conditions with all the health and environmental risks this entails.

UNMIS is concerned that implementation of the Government of Central Equatoria's plan to improve living conditions in Juba has not been done in a manner which is consistent with southern Sudanese law and international human rights standards. These standards include: reasonable prior notification; publication of the eviction exercise; adequate consultation and participation of affected communities; provision of alternative land; access to adequate housing; compensation; respect for the individual's right to choose their place of residence; and the possibility for the affected to challenge the decision. Most of these standards recognized in Southern Sudan's laws have not been met. With the rainy season approaching, the UN is worried that there may be a sharp deterioration in the living conditions of these populations.

UNMIS reiterates its call on the Government of Central Equatoria State to halt immediately the demolitions until appropriate procedures conforming to Sudanese laws and widely accepted international standards can be put in place.

UNMIS urges the Government of Central Equatoria State and the Government of Southern Sudan to take prompt and necessary steps to provide alternative land, adequate housing, access to basic services, and compensation to the large numbers of families who have been suddenly uprooted from their homes in the past four months.

UNMIS stands ready to support the Government of Central Equatoria State and the Government of Southern Sudan in ensuring respect for basic human rights principles and international codes of conduct throughout the region.

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UNMIS calls upon the Government of Central Equatoria to halt demolitions in Juba and provide alternatives