Nigeria’s Lagos State government has been cautioned by Amnesty International against demolishing irregular structures in waterfront communities across the state all in attempt to improve security.
According to the statement released by the rights body on Thursday, tens of thousands of people living in those settlements are at risk of forced evictions which are prohibited under international law.
“By attempting to push these residents off the waterfronts with just a week’s notice, no genuine consultations, and no provision of compensation or alternative housing, the Lagos State authorities are blithely violating international human rights law,” Amnesty International Nigeria’s Researcher Morayo Adebayo said.
The body called on the Lagos State government to ensure that forced evictions are not used as a punitive measure or a law enforcement tool.
“Even in situations where evictions are considered to be justified, governments obliged to ensure that that they are carried out in strict compliance with international law, including the principles of reasonableness and proportionality,” they added.
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode announced the demolition of all shanty towns in the state after a visit to Ilubirin, a waterfront community on the 9th of October 2016.
The demolition is planned to commence on Sunday, October 16, 2016, africanews.com reports.
