India: another violent forced eviction by police in Kolkata, West Bengal

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), on the basis of reliable information received, strongly condemns this latest case of forced eviction in West Bengal. OMCT is also deeply concerned that incidents such as this will continue to take place unless decisive steps are taken by the State and Union Governments to provide adequate protection to all their citizens, including those belonging to minorities and socio-economically marginalised groups.

According to the information received, the eviction of this community, which is largely made up of Dalits and Muslims, took place without warning and in inclement weather. A number of victims, including children, women and elderly persons, were physically ill-treated and subjected to violence, and homes and belongings were destroyed. Furthermore, international standards on

evictions were not met: the evictees were not properly informed and were offered neither compensation nor alternative housing.

OMCT recalls that “As recognized by several human rights bodies, forced evictions constitute prima facie violations of a wide range of internationally recognized human rights and can only be carried out under exceptional circumstances and in full accordance with international human rights law.” Moreover, forced evictions intensify inequality, social conflict, segregation and

“ghettoization”, and OMCT expresses its concern that the systematic use of forced evictions by the State Government of West Bengal has had serious implications for the most socially and economically vulnerable sectors of society.