Action: Hundreds at risk of forced eviction in Nigeria
We've just received the worrying news about an imminent forced eviction happening in Nigeria.
Hundreds of people in the Railway Compound community in Port Harcourt are facing imminent forced eviction from their homes after the governor of Rivers state announced that it would be demolished in 7 days. The residents were not consulted about the demolition; they did not receive any written notice, and were not offered any alternative housing or compensation. The demolitions are scheduled for Sunday, 12 February.
An estimated 5000 people will be affected along with 10 schools, 15 clinics and hundreds of small businesses.
Take action - The governor of Rivers State has a Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/#!/ChibuikeAmaechi
Please write the following message on his wall: STOP THE FORCED EVICTIONS OF THE RAILWAY COMPOUND COMMUNITY IN PORT HARCOURT.
If you're not on Facebook:
Please write immediately in English or your own language:
* Call on the authorities to stop all forced evictions, as a matter of urgency;
Governor of Rivers State
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
Office of the Governor,
Government House,
Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, NIGERIA
Salutation: Your Excellency
Amnesty has been working on this case for a long time and it featured in our Write for Rights campaign at the end of last year.
To express solidarity with the waterfront communities in Port Harcourt, please see the People Live Here campaign:
http://www.people-live-here.org/
http://www.facebook.com/peoplelivehere?sk=info
For more information on Amnesty's work on forced evictions visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Forced-Evictions-Amnesty-International/161493850572913
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11180
Thank you
Our blogs are written by Amnesty International staff, volunteers and other interested individuals, to encourage debate around human rights issues. They do not necessarily represent the views of Amnesty International.
Good news!
The demolition of the Railway Compound in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was halted by the authorities after a strong protest from the community and pressure from local NGOs and Amnesty International.
Thank you very much for your support - the Twitter and Facebook accounts of governor Amaechi were filled with tweets and posts from activists around the world.
Please stop current actions till further notice. Amnesty will be closely monitoring the situation in Port Harcourt and we'll keep you posted on any developments.
Malavika Vartak
Campaign Coordinator, Poverty and Human Rights
Amnesty International UK
The Human Rights Action Centre
London EC2A 3EA
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