International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - October 17

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Press release17 October 2008

Statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, Navi Pillay

On this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, I would like
to pay tribute to those who strive to defend the rights of some 1.4 billion
people still living in abject poverty and exclusion around the world.

This year marks not only the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, but also the 10th anniversary of the Declaration on
Human Rights Defenders. In 1987, a year after the Declaration on the
Right to Development was adopted by the General Assembly, more than
100,000 human rights defenders from all over the world gathered on
this day to express their solidarity in the fight against extreme poverty
and their commitment to ensure that everyone's dignity and freedom
are respected. Those human rights defenders are at the forefront in sounding
the alarm and protecting the rights of the poor.

Our collective responsibility is to ensure their efforts are matched with
concrete action and accountability. Poverty and inequality often exacerbate
abuse, neglect and discrimination, denying millions the enjoyment of their
civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, and ultimately, their
right to development.

Our efforts to fight poverty and to achieve the Millennium Development
Goals must be firmly grounded in the universal values and principles
enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and international
human rights instruments. There have been some significant development
gains over the years, but these cannot be sustained, if rights are not
anchored in laws and institutions, and if those in power are not aware of
their responsibilities to uphold people's rights, and are not held accountable
for their failures.

The current financial crisis, and the huge challenges posed by climate change
and systemic problems in the global food supply, make it essential for us to
act beyond narrow national interests, in the spirit of global cooperation laid
down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the numerous
other international laws and guidelines that it spawned.

Operationalizing the right to development would offer better prospects for
reducing poverty and enhancing accountability at both the national and
global levels. Poverty exists everywhere – as do human rights challenges –
and they are often inextricably linked. International days such as this often
stimulate fine words, but they need to be backed by deeds.

The philosophy and structures for combating poverty at the international
level exist. But a true commitment to translate that philosophy into
effective action, which will improve the actual day-to-day life of almost
one quarter of the world's population who live in poverty, is still far from
evident. Reducing poverty is an achievable goal. What we need is to bring
the rights and dignity of those who are suffering most to the centre of our efforts.

Learn more about the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

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Poverty Reduction Steps in BC:

$10 Now - Increase the Minimum Wage Campaign

First Call BC Child & Youth Advocacy Coalition:

Vancouver Living Wage Campaign

Living Wage Calculation Report - Excerpt:

The Growing Gap in Incomes:

Although Canada’s economy has been very robust for the last several
years only the top 20% of families (and primarily the top 10%) are
doing better as a result of Canad’a improved economic performance

1) debt levels have doubled for the poorest 20% of families between
1984 and 2005 – most of it non-mortgage related
2) In the 1970s the bottom 50% of Canadians had 27% share of the
total earnings in Canada. By 2004 the earnings of the bottom 50% of
Canadians had slipped to only 20.5% of total earnings in Canada
3) British Columbia has the highest child poverty rate in Canada
[Ed. for 5 YEARS IN A ROW]
4) 52% of children living in poverty in British Columbia live in families
where at least one parent works full-time/full/year

Universal Child care - Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC

CODE BLUE for Child Care - National project

Precedent setting BC Supreme Court Case, re: rights of the homeless

Victoria (City) v. Adams, 2008 BCSC 1363

Court strikes down Victoria bylaw against homeless camping

Excerpt:

The B.C. Supreme Court has struck down a Victoria bylaw aimed at
preventing homeless people from setting up tents and sleeping in city
parks.

The court ruled Tuesday the bylaw deprives the homeless of life,
liberty and security in violation of the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.

In her ruling, Justice Carol Ross found that due to insufficient capacity
in Victoria's shelters, hundreds of homeless people have no choice but
to sleep outside.

Ross said Victoria's bylaw prevented the homeless from protecting
themselves from the elements, something that could lead to potentially
fatal health risks.

"Let's be clear," Carter said. "The problems in our community are directly
related to mental health and addictions and the lack of services to meet
the needs in our community."

Stophomelessness.ca - Homelessness Action Week - Oct. 12 - 19

Quick Facts about Homelessness

- Street homelessness is growing fastest in suburban areas of Metro Vancouver.
- There are 10.000 people on the list for subsidized housing in Metro Vancouver.
- The average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in Vancouver is $800 per month.

Learn about the causes of homelessness
Understand why it makes sense to solve homelessness
Take action to support people who are homeless

A Dozen Days, A Dozen Ways Campaign by submitting your ideas about
solving homelessness.

Visit our ideas page to see your submissions about how to solve homelessness.