UN experts appalled by winter eviction of 400 migrants in Spain's Catalonia

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - UN human rights experts on Friday condemned the eviction of more than 400 migrants from the B9 informal settlement in the Spanish city of Badalona in Catalonia, warning the move has left hundreds of vulnerable people homeless in the middle of winter without adequate alternative housing.

"The eviction is pushing hundreds of vulnerable individuals into homelessness in the middle of winter, without any adequate alternative housing offered by municipal authorities," the experts said in a statement.

The eviction took place on Dec. 17 despite appeals urging authorities to postpone the operation until suitable housing solutions were identified. The experts said they regretted that Spain proceeded with the large-scale eviction despite those warnings.

Badalona 9 (B9), a former secondary school, had been sheltering between 400 and 500 migrants, making it the largest informal settlement of its kind in Catalonia. According to the experts, only around 30 residents considered particularly vulnerable were expected to receive short-term emergency accommodation.

Most of those evicted come from West and sub-Saharan African countries and include women, older people and individuals with medical needs. Many had previously been forcibly evicted from industrial warehouses in the area, the statement said, adding that despite the recurring nature of such situations the Badalona City Council maintains a policy of offering no housing alternatives to those affected.

"With no alternative housing provided, the vast majority of those evicted has no choice but to seek again refuge in other informal settlements or to camp in the open," the experts warned.

They stressed that evicting people into homelessness during winter constitutes a "serious violation" of the right to adequate housing and other human rights, and that repeated evictions without alternatives may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under international law.

The experts also criticized stigmatizing rhetoric by public authorities portraying B9 residents as criminals or a security threat, urging an end to discriminatory language against migrants.

"Such rhetoric is unacceptable, discriminatory, and deeply harmful," the statement said. "Migrants face compounded challenges when trying to access adequate housing. Public authorities must strive to counter discrimination, not fuel it."

The experts said they would continue to monitor the situation and called on authorities to ensure all evicted persons have access to safe and adequate housing that respects their dignity and rights.