Last month, the United Nations held its 25th Session in Geneva and on 10th March, in the same session as a discussion on `torture' and the `right to food' the Bedroom Tax was discussed under the right to `adequate housing'.
It was incredible watching the live stream from the United Nations, generals lining up to say that `No, no, no', their countries didn't do torture, indeed their prison guards were now getting torture awareness training…all sorts of excuses as they wriggled away in their chairs, desperately trying not to look embarrassed in front of the watching world.
Then it came to the report of Raquel Rolnik, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing which focused in particular on `security of tenure for the urban poor' and how "tenure insecurity led to a range of human rights violations, affecting not only the right to adequate housing but several other related rights, like education, freedom of assembly, health or social security".
Globally, she reported, "tenure insecurity was responsible for many millions of people living under a daily threat of eviction, lack of access to services, or in an ambiguous situation where their tenure status became the basis for discrimination" and that "It was evident that the poorest bore the brunt of tenure insecurity".
Attached to this larger report was a special 80 page report on Raquel Rolnik's visit to the UK from 29th August to 11th September 2013… "to examine the realisation of the right to adequate housing in the United Kingdom in light of international human rights standards".
As part of this visit, Raquel came to Salford to see the affects of the Bedroom Tax and, having spoken first hand to people in the UK, she wrote…
"Many felt targeted and forced to give up their neighbourhoods, their carers and their safety net. While in principle the policy does not force people to move, the reality of people's experience, many of whom are working people with no income to spare, left no doubt in the Special Rapporteur's mind that many have no other option, which has left them in tremendous despair…"
After praising the UK's history of providing access to adequate housing, she expressed her "regrets that some policies and practices which have resulted in the progressive realisation of the right to adequate housing are being eroded, and that the structural shape of the housing sector has changed to the detriment of the most vulnerable" and added her "concern that recent measures are contributing also to an increased vulnerability of those who, until a few years ago, were protected."
Amongst ten recommendations for the UK Government to consider was "whether particular measures are having a disproportionate impact on specific groups; assess whether the overall costs of the implementation of some reforms might outweigh the savings intended, thereby violating the State's obligation to use the maximum of available resources; and consider alternative avenues to achieve similar objectives without affecting the poorest or most vulnerable".
In relation to the Bedroom Tax, she recommended immediate suspension… "In particular, the removal of the spare-room subsidy should be suspended immediately and be fully re-evaluated in light of the evidence of its negative impacts on the right to adequate housing and general well-being of many vulnerable individuals and households".
When Raquel Rolnik revealed some of these recommendations immediately after her visit to the UK, the press and Government immediately launched a literal witch hunt against her, even accusing her of `witchcraft' to try and discredit her for daring to say such stuff.
And in the United Nations session, the UK Government again launched into her. The official account of the response states that "The United Kingdom regretted that the Special Rapporteur's recommendations did not accurately reflect the situation in the United Kingdom, pointing out the significant progress and notable achievements in the field of housing".
The UK Government representatives looked as convincing as those generals shuffling about in their chairs denying that torture was happening in their countries.
Meanwhile, Salford's Maria Brabiner, from the Anti Bedroom Tax Federation for Greater Manchester has released a statement in advance of the Axe The Bedroom Tax demonstration tomorrow…
"The Bedroom Tax is a diet of malnutrition" she says "I lost a stone in weight last summer because of Bedroom Tax. I went down to seven stone. I'm the living proof you can't pay Bedroom Tax and lead a normal life. Last July I found a job and was able to eat normally. I put the weight back on. I was made redundant at the end of November so now I am now back affected by Bedroom Tax.
"I never thought I'd see in my lifetime any legislation worse than the Poll Tax" she adds "Bedroom Tax is the most nastiest, evil, vicious legislation ever. Poll Tax did have exemptions for the unemployed and sick whereas Bedroom Tax deliberately targets vulnerable people. It is disgusting! That is why I am inviting everyone to join us in Manchester on 5th April on the march against the Bedroom Tax…"
AXE THE BEDROOM TAX NOW!
Protest
Saturday 5th April
12:30pm Cathedral Gardens (by Urbis)
Manchester
* See also previous Salford Star articles...
United Nations Comes To Salford - click here
41% of Salford Tenants Affected by Bedroom Tax in Arrears - click here
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