UN expert on the right to adequate housing launches first official visit to Cabo Verde

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 14, 2015/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- United Nations Special Rapporteur Leilani Farha will visit Cabo Verde from 19 to 26 January 2015 to assess the country's achievements and challenges in realizing the right to adequate housing and non-discrimination in this context. This is the first time a human rights independent expert from the UN Human Rights Council will visit the country.

“I will pay especial attention to the situation of the most vulnerable and marginalized, including those who are homeless, women, and people living in informal settlements or without adequate access to services,” said the independent expert charged by the Human Rights Council to monitor, report and advise on the realization of the right to adequate housing worldwide.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the authorities and civil society of Cabo Verde, to discuss disparities in access and affordability of housing in urban and rural areas, and how the right to housing is implemented,” she noted.

The human rights expert, who is visiting the country at the invitation of the Cabo Verdean authorities, will meet with representatives from the national Government, as well as with local government officials, civil society and community organizations and residents, on the Islands of Santiago, Sal and São Vicente. She will also meet with representatives of the international community and UN officials.

At the end of her eight-day mission, Ms. Farha will share with the media her preliminary findings at a press conference on 26 January at 15:00 at the United Nations Building in Praia.

The Special Rapporteur will submit a report to a forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council, which will include her findings and recommendations to the Government of Cabo Verde.