Displaced By Development: The Impact of Forced Evictions Worldwide

An estimated 15 million people are made homeless annually.

In the Name of Development - An estimated 15 million people per year are forcibly kicked out of their homes and off their land in the name of progress. While projects like the World Cup and new high-powered dams are often touted for their revitalizing effects on a country’s economy, those communities living at or near the project’s site often suffer involuntary removals and other human rights abuses. Keep reading to read about recent forced evictions occurring in Nigeria and other nations worldwide. —Patrice Peck(Photo: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)

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In the Name of Development - An estimated 15 million people per year are forcibly kicked out of their homes and off their land in the name of progress. While projects like the World Cup and new high-powered dams are often touted for their revitalizing effects on a country’s economy, those communities living at or near the project’s site often suffer involuntary removals and other human rights abuses. Keep reading to read about recent forced evictions occurring in Nigeria and other nations worldwide. —Patrice Peck(Photo: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/Getty Images)

Nigeria - Amnesty International exposed on Aug. 12 a wave of forced evictions occurring in Lagos, Nigeria, that left at least 9,000 people homeless as part of redevelopment plans. To challenge the local government’s claiming that the affected area was a garbage dump, the organization released satellite images proving that the densely populated area had contained concrete houses and other structures before the massive demolition. Government officials have made no indications of stopping future evictions in the area.(Photo: REUTERS/Luiz Vasconcelos-A Critica/AE)

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Nigeria - Amnesty International exposed on Aug. 12 a wave of forced evictions occurring in Lagos, Nigeria, that left at least 9,000 people homeless as part of redevelopment plans. To challenge the local government’s claiming that the affected area was a garbage dump, the organization released satellite images proving that the densely populated area had contained concrete houses and other structures before the massive demolition. Government officials have made no indications of stopping future evictions in the area.(Photo: REUTERS/Luiz Vasconcelos-A Critica/AE)

Brazil - In preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, a number of Brazilian neighborhoods have been razed, evicting thousands of residents and violating existing legislation. WITNESS reported that 170,000 Brazilians are at risk of losing — or have already lost — their homes. In separate incidents in 2009, 130 indigenous Brazilians were evicted from their land prior to its torching, while hundreds of families were forced from a squatters settlement.(Photo: REUTERS/Samrang Pring)

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Brazil - In preparation for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, a number of Brazilian neighborhoods have been razed, evicting thousands of residents and violating existing legislation. WITNESS reported that 170,000 Brazilians are at risk of losing — or have already lost — their homes. In separate incidents in 2009, 130 indigenous Brazilians were evicted from their land prior to its torching, while hundreds of families were forced from a squatters settlement.(Photo: REUTERS/Samrang Pring)

Mexico - A number of large-scale dam projects built over the past 40 years has triggered the forced eviction of more than 185,000 people. A global, non-governmental ethics tribunal in 2012 ordered Mexican authorities to cease forced removals and abide by national legislation and international human rights standards in future projects.  (Photo: REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar)

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Mexico - A number of large-scale dam projects built over the past 40 years has triggered the forced eviction of more than 185,000 people. A global, non-governmental ethics tribunal in 2012 ordered Mexican authorities to cease forced removals and abide by national legislation and international human rights standards in future projects.  (Photo: REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar)

Kenya - Hundreds of families have been left homeless and impoverished after a bulldozer demolished a Nairobi settlement in 2010, wrecking homes and market stalls. Having full ownership of the Kabete NITD settlement, the government has made repeated attempts to clear the slum, which it established in 1974. Amnesty International is developing Furushwa, a digital mapping website, to enable residents and activists to send alerts when an eviction occurs and mobilize support.  (Photo: REUTERS/Noor Khamis)

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Kenya - Hundreds of families have been left homeless and impoverished after a bulldozer demolished a Nairobi settlement in 2010, wrecking homes and market stalls. Having full ownership of the Kabete NITD settlement, the government has made repeated attempts to clear the slum, which it established in 1974. Amnesty International is developing Furushwa, a digital mapping website, to enable residents and activists to send alerts when an eviction occurs and mobilize support.  (Photo: REUTERS/Noor Khamis)

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India - A project proposed by a South Korean steel company in 2005 resulted in forced evictions of families and farmers residing in the Jagatsinghpur district of India. These evictions were unlawful and have devastated the livelihoods of thousands of people, according to Shashikumar Velath, the director of programs at Amnesty International India.(Photo: REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw)

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India - A project proposed by a South Korean steel company in 2005 resulted in forced evictions of families and farmers residing in the Jagatsinghpur district of India. These evictions were unlawful and have devastated the livelihoods of thousands of people, according to Shashikumar Velath, the director of programs at Amnesty International India.(Photo: REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw)

China - A 2012 Amnesty International report revealed that forced evictions are on a rapid rise in China. More than 40 cases of people setting themselves on fire to resist eviction have been collected by the human-rights group. Due to urban renewal and redevelopment projects, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai Expo, local governments have been grabbing land and relocating hundreds of thousands of people.(Photo: Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

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China - A 2012 Amnesty International report revealed that forced evictions are on a rapid rise in China. More than 40 cases of people setting themselves on fire to resist eviction have been collected by the human-rights group. Due to urban renewal and redevelopment projects, such as the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai Expo, local governments have been grabbing land and relocating hundreds of thousands of people.(Photo: Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

Guatemala - Guatemalan land disputes frequently arising between large land owners and indigenous rural communities often lead to hundreds of families bring forced from their homes and land per year. As a result, thousands of Guatemalans are left homeless and without access to adequate shelter, clean water, food and health care. According to Amnesty International, a 2011 eviction of approximately 2,500 indigenous people caused the death of a community member.  (Photo: JORGE DAN LOPEZ /LANDOV/REUTERS)

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Guatemala - Guatemalan land disputes frequently arising between large land owners and indigenous rural communities often lead to hundreds of families bring forced from their homes and land per year. As a result, thousands of Guatemalans are left homeless and without access to adequate shelter, clean water, food and health care. According to Amnesty International, a 2011 eviction of approximately 2,500 indigenous people caused the death of a community member.  (Photo: JORGE DAN LOPEZ /LANDOV/REUTERS)

Haiti - In June 2013, the United Nations raised concerns about ongoing illegal forced evictions and human-rights abuses of families displaced by the 2010 earthquake. About 4,000 people have been forcibly evicted from four deteriorating, makeshift camps, with an estimated 75,000 people in 105 other encampments facing a similar fate. Amnesty International claimed that many victims were banished by police, landowners and sometimes government officials.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

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Haiti - In June 2013, the United Nations raised concerns about ongoing illegal forced evictions and human-rights abuses of families displaced by the 2010 earthquake. About 4,000 people have been forcibly evicted from four deteriorating, makeshift camps, with an estimated 75,000 people in 105 other encampments facing a similar fate. Amnesty International claimed that many victims were banished by police, landowners and sometimes government officials.  (Photo: AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)