Homeless encampments threaten many human rights, including most directly the right to housing. As encampments increasingly emerge across Canada, The Shift has developed several resources to help ensure the rights of encampment residents are upheld. Download them and use them in your community!
In April 2020, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing Leilani Farha and Dr. Kaitlin Schwan released A National Protocol on Homeless Encampments: A Human Rights Approach. The Protocol, based in international and domestic human rights law, outlines eight Principles to guide governments in their responses to homeless encampments.
This Handout, Homeless Encampments & Your Human Rights, is for people living in encampments in Canada. It outlines residents’ human rights and how governments are obliged to respect them. Download and freely distribute!
This Lawn Sign, You Are Entering a Human Rights Protected Zone, is created for display at homeless encampments. It can serve to remind state officials, bylaw officers, and the general public that encampment residents are protected under human rights law. The QR Code links to the National Protocol. Download and freely use as you wish!
