Dale Farm traveller evictions 'could breach human rights' Travellers and Romany people from across Europe have protested against the planned evictions Continue reading the main story Plans to evict people living illegally at England's largest travellers' site may breach human rights law, a United Nations expert has warned. Basildon Council has given the 200 people living on 51 unauthorised pitches at Dale Farm, Essex, until the end of August to leave. The UN's Raquel Rolnik has now called on the UK government to find a peaceful solution to the matter. The council has said planning law was breached. The government said it would issue a statement later. More than 400 travellers currently live at the former scrapyard, which is between Billericay and Basildon. Basildon Council has said that about half of the 100 pitches do not have planning permission and said previously it had carefully considered the circumstances of the site. Travellers began to set up pitches illegally on the land in 2001. Ms Rolnik, the UN's special rapporteur on housing, said in a statement that evictions could "constitute a grave breach of human rights if not carried out with full respect for international standards". 'Human rights obligations' Ms Rolnik and Rita Izak, the UN's independent expert on minority issues, have now called on government ministers to provide "adequate alternative housing for 86 Irish traveller families faced with forced eviction from Dale Farm, Essex, before the end of August". "We urge the UK authorities to halt the evictions process and to pursue negotiations with the residents until an acceptable agreement for relocation is reached in full conformity with international human rights obligations," said Ms Rolnik. She said the number facing eviction could include as many as 110 children. "It is now of utmost importance that the rights of the residents to fair compensation for their lost homes and property and the provision of adequate alternative housing are fully respected," she said. The UN rights experts said they were sorry that ongoing negotiations with the Dale Farm residents to try to find alternative land for the evicted families were abandoned a year ago. The experts said that "cast aside a valuable opportunity to reach a just and lawful solution to this longstanding dispute". People living at the site have previously said they were "distressed" at the situation. Policing the clearance of the site is expected to cost up to £9.5m
The fact that the UN are getting involved in the awful practice of evicting human beings from the place they decide to make their home. Being a liberal yourself I would imagine you will agree with me.
No, I don't. And here's why: "Travellers began to set up pitches illegally on the land in 2001." We all have to live within the law but too many of these travellers think the law doesn't apply to them. However, when the law suits them they're happy to take advantage of it, such as hiring lawyers to argue their case for land ownership etc. They didn't give a damn about such inconveniences when they turned up one day, took to the land illegally and set up home. However, the above article is pretty rubbish. It's full of ifs, buts and maybes. These people had no right to the land in the first place and they have no right to remain on the land.
Who bestowed this mythical 'right' to land anyway Stereo? You are sounding to the right of Enoch Powell there mate. Let those human beings pitch up where they want. Wee bit surprised at you.
Do you have a garden Cieran? How would you like it if I turned up towing a caravan, backed it into your garden and set up home there without your permission? How would you feel if I did so without paying you a penny in rent or council tax? How would feel having a complete stranger living on your door step? How would you feel if I then invited my family and friends to come live with me? I'm all for respecting people's rights. But it has to work both ways.
Stop going all Daily Mail here Stereo, they are staying at an old scrapyard not someones back garden. Who bestowed this 'right' to land anyway? Why should someone have loads of land and these people don't even have somewhere to pitch up. A terrible stain on all of us.
So you would have no problem with me doing what I suggested then? You would just open your curtains in the morning and think "why is there a caravan in my front garden and who are all those people? And why is that bloke having a dump behind my hedge? Oh well, live and let live." Aye, ****ing right you would! Who gave them the right to just pitch up and stay where they want? Rent and council tax free I should add. Why the hell am I paying full council tax while those scroungers are living it up on land that doesn't even belong to them? In fact, **** 'em!
Whos garden are these people staying in? Stick to the facts Stereo. You obviously have a hatred for travelling people, let them live in peace where they want.
Stick the ****ing lot of them on a ferry and send them back to Ireland. If Ireland won't take them, use it for target practice. Scum.
You know fine what I'm talking about. You just don't want to respond to it because it'll show you up for what you are: a complete hypocrite. It's okay for them to pitch up and claim land as their own as long as it's not your land. You're a typical NIMBY, quite literally.
Why would you send Roma gypsies to Ireland? At least read an artice before spouting your racist bile mate
What are you on about? I would happily let someone pitch a caravan on my land if I had a sizable amount. Is that what you are asking me?
So they're all Roman gypsies are they? Funny, the ones they interviewed in the recent BBC documentary all had Irish accents. I particularly liked the way they threatened to petrol bomb people. What is it about you Irish and bombing people?
Is it Ireland that is currently dropping bombs on Lybia and killing civilians? Did Ireland drop bombs killing umpteen thousands in Iraq Afghanistan? I could be here all day. The Brits have zero scope talking about others use of violence. Do you hate blacks and Muslims too Stereo? I bet you do. Racist.
You haven't even read your own post... Ms Rolnik and Rita Izak, the UN's independent expert on minority issues, have now called on government ministers to provide "adequate alternative housing for 86 Irish traveller families faced with forced eviction from Dale Farm, Essex, before the end of August".
