UN Rapporteur to hear from homeless at public hearing

Vancouver – October 12, 2007

The United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Miloon Kothari, will be hosting a public hearing and press conference next Tuesday in Vancouver.

When:        Tuesday, October 16, 2007
                   Press Conference: 9:15 am to 9:30 am SHARP 
                   Public Hearing: 9:30am to noon
Where:       SFU Harbour Centre building, 515 W. Hastings St., Vancouver.

At the press conference, Mr. Kothari will discuss his mandate, followed by a public hearing where he will hear from homeless and under-housed individuals impacted by the housing crisis in British Columbia.  He will also hear from some non-governmental organizations that work in the area of housing.  On the 17th, he will be meeting with government officials, including VANOC.

“The public hearing will give Mr. Kothari the opportunity to hear from the most marginalized residents of Vancouver and the lower mainland first-hand,” said David Eby of Pivot Legal Society, “Vancouver is the only destination in Canada where such a public hearing will be held, and we are pleased that Pivot could assist in coordinating the opportunity for the individuals most impacted by Canada’s housing policies to speak with the Special Rapporteur directly.”

Mr. Kothari was appointed by the UN High Commission on Human Rights in April of 2000 to undertake country visits, and submit annual reports to the High Commission on Human Rights on his findings.  He will spend two days in Vancouver, which is one of his four destinations in Canada.

Individuals interested in presenting to the Rapporteur may contact Pivot Legal Society to put their names on the speakers list. A lottery system may be used to select speakers if the demand for speaking time exceeds the number of available slots. Designated slots will be held open for women, immigrants and refugees, people of aboriginal heritage, and homeless individuals.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Mr. Kothari will be available for the media from 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. only in front of SFU Harbour Center. There will be no other media availability until his closing press conference in Ottawa on the last day of his mission. The Special Rapporteur’s practice is to speak only of his general mandate during the visit, and not speak to specifics until he has had the opportunity to address the federal government in Ottawa on the last day of his mission.