Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his

family, includinghousing. Article 25, Universal Declaration of Human Rights

NIGERIA:

Community of Badia East

Officials have returned more than once to destroy some of the shelters. In March, officers also arrested five people who were building an emergency water tank after a bulldozer had ruptured the pipe carrying water to the community. They eventually released the five. The residents have yet to receive compensation and the offer of new homes. They are without access to legal remedies. Badia East is just one of many communities across Nigeria that has been torn apart by forced evictions in recent years. Large-scale evictions and house demolitions have occurred without respect for human rights standards. Many are living today with the constant threat that their own homes will be destroyed.
Pay a visit to Badia East at www.Amnesty.org/en/ library/info/AFR44/009/2013/en.

Disaster struck the large community of Badia East on the edge of Lagos on 23 February 2013. Shocked residents watched bulldozers demolish 266 of their homes. Most were not allowed to even rescue their belongings. A few residents tried to resist but police officers beat them. Lagos state officials had identified the area for slum upgrading in a project funded by the World Bank. The officials had ordered the eviction and police were present to support the demolition. One officer warned If you love your life, move out! No one had given the families, small shop owners and traders advance warning. No one had consulted them. No one had prepared alternate accommodation for them. The anguish has not stopped. Many of the residents are still living in the open or camping in makeshift shelters.

Bimbo Omowole Osobe is 55. Since the demolition, she has slept in the open under a net. Social and Economic Rights Action Center

Activate your pens and your keyboards! Please write to the governor of Lagos State. Start with Your Excellency. Describe who you are and what concerns you about Februarys demolition in Badia East. Ask Governor San to stop all forced evictions. Insist that all residents evicted from their homes in February 2013 receive compensation and alternative housing.

Send your letter to: Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola San Office of the Governor of Lagos State State Government Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja Lagos State, Nigeria Postage: $1.85 Twitter handle: @tundefashola
Suggested tweet: Compensate #BadiaEast residents after home demolitions in Lagos State, #Nigeria. #endforcedevictions

Please make a copy for: His Excellency Ojo Uma Maduekwe High Commissioner for Nigeria 295 Metcalfe Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1R9 Postage: $.63 Fax: (613) 236-0529 Email via website: http:// www.nigeriahcottawa.ca/nhc2/index.php/ en/welcome-to-nhc/contact-us

What else can I do?

The Badia East residents need to know there is international concern for what has happened to them. Send letters, cards or photos of yourself with one of these messages. Try your hand at writing in Yoruba! 1. We support the Badia East community. 2. Housing is a human right. 3. End forced evictions. A w lhn won ar l orn Bd t omo nyn ni il gbgb E fi pin s k fi ip l nyn jde n il

Add your name and Canada but do not include your full return address. (If you wish to use a return address, you may use the address for Amnesty Internationals office in Toronto: 3-1992 Yonge, Toronto, Canada M4S 1Z7.) Apart from religious cards, any kind of card is fine. You may mention Amnesty International. Mail your message with $1.85 postage to Badia East Technical Committee C/o Social and Economic Rights Action Center Plot 758, Chief Thomas Adeboye Drive Omole Phase 2, Isheri Lagos State, Nigeria

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