Respect the Human rights of all people living in Sub Standard Local Authority housing

dublin | crime and justice | press release Sunday June 12, 2011 16:23 by JUSTICE FOR RACHEL PEAVOY CAMPAIGN - JUSTICE FOR RACHEL PEAVOY

Rachel Peavoy was a 30 year old mother of two young boys. On Jan 11 2010 Rachel froze to death in her home which she had pleaded with her landlords Dublin City Council to be moved for 3 years without success.

Her living conditions were of inhumane standards. She was isolated in a derelict block of flats with major anti social and drug dealing problems and also major maintenance problems. We want answers to why she was left to die in such conditions by Ireland's biggest landlord Dublin City Council. Many more still live in such conditions and this should never be allowed happen again. The human rights of these people need to be respected.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Article 11, General Comment 4 on The Right to Adequate Housing states that;

”Adequate housing must be habitable, in terms of providing the inhabitants with adequate space and protecting them from cold, damp, heat, rain, wind or other threats to health, structural hazards, and disease vectors. The physical safety of occupants must be guaranteed as well."

Housing quality and the need for improvements in terms of, damp-proofing, insulation and sewerage has long been an issue of contention for the residents of Inner City Communities across the Country.

Today in Dublin, many inner city communities continue to be neglected by Dublin City Council. Ballymun, Dolphins Barn, Rialto, Saint Michael’s Estate and Charlemont Street have all become victims of DCC’s negligence, but this is only the tip of the iceberg, many more communities throughout Dublin remain in the same situation as do many more across the country.

Dublin City Council (DCC) has failed to comply with Article 11 - General Comment 4 - in accordance with - The Right to Adequate Housing. And still to this day DCC continues to be in breech of this basic of all Human Rights.

The refusal by Dublin City Council to abide by and respect this basic of Human Rights had ultimately led to the death of a 30 year old mother of two young boys, Rachel Peavoy. Who through DCC’s neglect, froze to death in her perilously cold flat in Ballymun on Jan-11-2010, even though Rachel had previously pleaded for three long years with Dublin City Council (DCC) to move her and her two young boy’s to a more suitable accommodation.

Her living conditions were of inhumane standards. Rachel and her children where isolated in a derelict block of flats with major anti social, drug dealing problems and also major maintenance problems. We want answers as to why Rachel, who had constantly pleaded for help, was left to die in such atrocious conditions by Ireland's biggest landlord, Dublin City Council.

We wish to never see a repeat of what happened to Rachel, in what could have been an easily preventable death, ever again or for any family or Community in this Country go through what Rachel, her family and close friends are going through now!

We the Public appeal to Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, to open a public inquiry into the circumstances that led to the shocking death of Rachael Peavoy to give Rachel's Family and friends some closure and as we believe there are urgent matters of public importance and major lessons that can be learned by public bodies in Ireland.

We the people also demand that Dublin City Council and all Governmental bodies responsible for the welfare and safety of all people of all Communities throughout Ireland, protect and safeguard them from any harm that may be a threat to their health and physical safety in compliance with the “Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights-Article 11-General Comment 4-The Right to Adequate Housing.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/call-for-a-public-i....html