CAEC recognized by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

[Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign]

Earlier this week, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OUNCHR) announced the release of a short video highlighting the international scourge of forced evictions and the innovative work that popular organizations have taken up to fight this problem.

Over the past several years, international human rights organizations have struggled to highlight this issue. Consistently, they have pointed to the problem of forced evictions as not just a violation of an individual right to housing, but also as a violation tearing at the very fabric of community stability.

The OUNHCR produced this video in the hopes of raising greater awareness about forced evictions. Alongside the footage from Asia, Africa, and Europe, is video of the Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign's efforts to enforce to human right to housing by converting vacant, foreclosed properties into decent housing for homeless families.

Here is the short video:

- English version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SDUu9f2L0k

- Spanish version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce01seedgbo

- French version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVnnq2Icx60

Please feel free to share this video with others.

By including the CAEC alongside organizations fighting evictions around the world, particularly in the Global South, the OUNCHR hoped to  reinforce our advocacy and fight against evictions as Human Rights Defenders.

"I also hope that, in the near future," explained the OUNCHR's Bahram Ghazi, "we can build a strong platform of CSOs [Civil Society Organizations], grass root organizations, community activists and any other individual and groups that want to end forced eviction worldwide." The CAEC shares these aspirations. 

In carrying this work forward, the CAEC is currently preparing for a visit to U.S. the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent on January 19-29, 2016. In particular, the WGEPAD will be in Chicago on January 24 and 25th to meet with government officials and take testimony from residents of African descent.

The Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign is serving as an anchor organization to this visit to Chicago.This visit is as part of the International Decade for People of African Descent.

For more information about the Working Group, go to: http://www.ushrnetwork.org/our-work/project/un-working-group-experts-people-african-descent-visit

We look forward to being in touch with you over the next several weeks about these efforts and working with you to make them a success.