Force Evictions – Urgent Action Around 1500 Roma people are at risk of being forcibly evicted from their homes in Belvil, an informal settlement in Belgrade, Serbia's capital, at any time from 19 March. They have not been given information about resettlement and may be resettled in inadequate conditions or left homeless. The eviction is linked to construction works on an infrastructure project co-financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The planned eviction of the informal settlement was first announced by the Belgrade city authorities in March 2010. They stated that most of the residents of Belvil settlement would be evicted to make way for access roads for a new bridge over the River Sava. The authorities did not carry out any meaningful and genuine consultations with residents nor did they have a resettlement plan. However, following massive campaigning by Amnesty International and local human rights organizations, the eviction was put on hold. As a result of continued lobbying, the European Investment Bank (EIB), which is co-financing the Sava bridge project, was persuaded the eviction should be carried out in accordance with international standards. The EIB, subsequently employed two local consultants, to assist the City authorities in drawing up a resettlement action plan, in accordance with international standards. In April 2011, the city authorities called a meeting with those residents of Belvil who live on the route of the acce ss road (around 100 families). A representative of EIB was present at that meeting, which was also attended by Amnesty International, the ERRC and local NGOs working with the affected Roma. The City promised the eviction would be carried out according to international human rights standards. The authorities said that they would develop a detailed Resettlement Action Plan, which would be consulted with each affected individual. They also said that residents would be accommodated in pre-fabricated houses, which Amnesty International considered to be adequate housing. Representatives of the residents were promised visits to the sites where the houses would be built, so that they could choose where to live. However, by the end of 2011, despite repeated requests for information to the city authorities and to the EIB, Amnesty International was only able to establish that a Resettlement Action Plan had been drawn up, but that it was awaiting approval by the city assembly. A letter from affected residents to the city in December received no reply. The affected residents were not informed of any further developments until 15 March 2012, when the city authorities told all residents of Belvil that they would be soon evicted. On 16 March, the Belgrade city authorities distributed eviction notices to residents in the settlement who are not living on the route of the access road. They were told that they have three days to destroy and leave their homes. They were not consulted on any alternative housing options or on plans for resettlement, and the authorities have failed to respond to repeated requests for information Those living on the route of the access roads were told they will also soon be evicted, but were not told when this would happen. They were not given any information about their resettlement, including where they would be resettled and what kind of housing would be provided.

Take action! Write to the President of the European Investment Bank Dear Werner Hoyer, I am extremely concerned that the authorities of the City of Belgrade and the Government of Serbia are about to forcibly evict 1500 Romani people living in the “Belvil” informal settlement. The eviction is linked to construction works on an infrastructure project in Belgrade co-financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB). This eviction was first announced in March 2010. I understand that the European Investment Bank took some steps to ensure that the eviction of Belvil takes place with all legal safeguards and protections required by international human rights law. As a result, in April 2011, the city authorities, called a meeting with those residents of Belvil who live on the route of the construction works (around 100 families). The City promised the eviction would be carried out according to international human rights standards. The authorities said that they would develop a detailed Resettlement Action Plan, which would be consulted with each affected individual. Despite of authorities’ failure to develop the Resettlement Action Plan and conduct individual consultations, on 15 March 2012, the city authorities told all residents of Belvil that they would be soon evicted. Those who do not live on the route of the construction works have already received eviction notices. I understand that the EIB is committed not to support infrastructure projects that result in forced evictions or other violations of human rights. Forced evictions constitute a serious violation of international law. I am therefore urging you to take immediate action and

1) Remind the Serbian Government and City of Belgrade of their obligations under international human rights law and those which derive from the project agreement with the EIB. The EIB should make it clear that as a European Union institution it upholds human rights and will ensure that its funding is not linked to or used as a guise for any human rights violation.

2) Request from the Serbian Government and City of Belgrade to: - Stop the forced eviction in Belvil -Adopt and implement a Resettlement Action Plan that meets all international standards - Ensure that there is meaningful and genuine consultation with all affected people on the options for resettlement included in the Resettlement Action plan, which should provide prefabricated housing as promised in April 2011.

Address: Werner Hoyer President of the EIB Chairman of the Board of Directors 98-100, boulevard Konrad Adenauer L-2950 Luxembourg Fax: +352 4379 64474 Email: cdpresident@eib.org: