UN special rapporteur on the right to housing will visit Uzbekistan

Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to housing, is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan from August 19 to 30, as reported by the "Dunyo" news agency.

During his visit, Mr. Rajagopal will assess the protection and realization of the right to housing within national legislation and practice. This includes examining housing affordability, adequacy, access to essential services, and issues related to forced evictions.

The Special Rapporteur will evaluate the measures undertaken by Uzbekistan to ensure that all segments of the population enjoy the right to housing. Additionally, he will assess the impact of the climate crisis on housing rights and the level of public participation in housing and urban planning decision-making.

During the visit, Mr. Rajagopal is expected to tour cities such as Tashkent, Jizzakh, Samarkand, and Bukhara, along with nearby districts. This will include visits to student residences and residential areas for individuals who have faced various challenges, such as family difficulties or homelessness. A series of official meetings, dialogues with civil society representatives, and interactions with business circles are also planned.

At the conclusion of his visit, the UN Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference. Furthermore, he is expected to present a report on his visit to Uzbekistan to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2025.