COHRE

A new report from the Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (download adobe acrobat version here) details the extent of evictions in Africa and Asia over the past five years. The numbers are terrifying: 1.3 million people in the Congo, 10,000 Ethiopians, more than 1 million people in Nigeria, perhaps 300,000 Sudanese. All in addition to the 700,000 Zimbabweans forced from their homes this year. And these are just the evictions executed by governments. It's an eye-opening document. Look for the incredible numbers from China, where 400,000 Beijing residents have been ejected to make way for the 2008 Olympics. Clearly, the situation on the ground is rough. But squatters and others threatened with eviction continue to speak out and to resist. Through groups like COHRE, we can support their efforts.