Quintas de debate: FAMILIES FORCIBLY EVICTED and left Homeless

16/04/2013

FAMILIES FORCIBLY EVICTED and left Homeless

URGENT ACTION

FAMILIES FORCIBLY EVICTED and left Homeless

On Tuesday 9 April, scores of families were forcibly evicted and had their homes demolished by city authorities in Menongue city, Angola. Thousands more in the city are at risk of being evicted.

On 9 April, the Menongue City Administrator arrived at Aeroporto Comandante Kwenha neighbourhood in Menongue, a city in the South-eastern province of Kuando Kubango, Angola. He told the community they had to leave the area. He stated that the land they live on is reserved for use by the State which has to ensure that there are no residences within 200 metres of the nearby airport. He then stated that there is a government plan for the rest of the land but did not elaborate further. Later that day the Administrator returned to the neighbourhood reportedly with police officers, agents from the State Intelligence and Security Service and a demolition vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was instructed to demolish about 40 houses while the police ensured the protection of its driver and the Administrator.

Police reportedly used armed force, including shots, against those who protested the destruction of their homes. During the demolitions eight individuals were arrested for taking photos of the demolitions and for breaking the windows of the vehicle. Six of the protestors were released within two days and two remained in detention until 15 April.

The families were not offered any form of compensation or alternative land or housing and remain homeless and destitute. The Administrator reportedly threatened the families with greater damages if they were still in the area when the authorities returned. No official notice or opportunities for genuine consultation were provided to the affected families.

Please write immediately in Portuguese, English or your own language:

n Expressing concern that scores of families were forcibly evicted and rendered homeless in the Aeroporto Comandante Kwenha neighbourhood;

n Urging the authorities to ensure that all those forcibly evicted are provided with effective remedies including adequate alternative accommodation and compensation for their losses where applicable;

n Requesting that the authorities halt all further forced evictions in Menongue and to adopt a moratorium on all mass evictions until all necessary safeguards are put in place, to ensure that evictions are carried out in accordance with international and regional human rights standards, including the development of a resettlement plan to provide adequate alternative housing where applicable.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 27 MAY 2013 TO:

Minister of Urban Development and Construction

Fernando Fonseca

Ministro de Urbanismo e Construção Ministério de Urbanismo e Construção Avenida 4 de Fevereiro

Luanda

República de Angola

Fax: +244 222 310517

(Say “queria mandar um fax” if someone answers)

Email: geral@minua.gov.ao
Salutation: Sua Excelência/ Excellency

Kuando Kubango Provincial Governor

Francisco Higino Lopes Carneiro Governador Provincial

Menongue