Breaking the cycle: Ending the criminalization of homelessness and poverty
The UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights and the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing have issued a new study. It explains why the criminalization of persons experiencing homelessness or poverty is not a suitable solution and may violate a wide range of human rights.
The study argues that criminalization perpetuates historical legacies of discrimination and exclusion, entrenches discrimination and stigmatization and is an unsuitable, inefficient and costly approach to address social issues. This advice to the UN Human Rights Council will be the subject of an interactive dialogue between the Special Rapporteurs and the state delegations comprising the Human Rights Council at its 56th session
It calls on states and local governments to repeal vagrancy laws and legislation penalizing life-sustaining activities in public spaces, such as sleeping, living, begging or undertaking informal economic activities in public spaces for persons that have no other means for their own survival.
Download the study in English: WORD or pdf
Download unofficial translations: Français: pdf; Español: pdf
Photo: Source: Ahmad Kavousian/Creative Common from Carey L. Biron, “Criminalization of Homelessness in US Criticized by United Nations,” Inter Press Service via United Nations University (11 September 2014).
| Themes |
| • Advocacy • Homeless • Housing rights • International • Legal frameworks • Research • Subsidies • UN HR bodies • UN SR RAH • UN system |
