HRMI Executive Director Henrikas Mickevicius confronted the Mayor of Vilnius, A. Zuokas, over "deep concern" about municipal policies authorizing the destruction of Roma settlements this month in the live discussion program, “Public Interest”, on national television.
According to H. Mickevicius, the aims pursued by demolition of the Roma houses are not clear. “However, even if the aims were lawful, the threshold of proportionality should stop local authorities” said H. Mickevicius. “In one of the cases, single mother of numerous children was thrown out, in other case, mentally ill person undergoing a treatment in hospital was left without a roof over his head.”
“Right to adequate housing was violated by demolition of the Roma houses in Kirtimai. Inviolability of premises is especially protected, because the violation of this right affects other fundamental rights such as right to privacy, personal security, protection of property”, said H. Mickevicius.
Program “Public Interest” LRT 2004-12-06 21:00 www.lrt.lt
© 2012 Human Rights Monitoring Institute