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IN THE DRAFTING GROUPS

The Drafting Group on the Istanbul Declaration received a composite draft that contained a number of alternative paragraphs from the drafts of the EU, the G-77/CHINA and TURKEY. Among the issues addressed in the alternative sections were: a right to housing; rural settlements; production and consumption patterns; local government; and resources and institutional arrangements necessary for implementation. Chair Kazildeli (Turkey) was asked to prepare a new, shorter and more focused draft, to be discussed Monday.

The Drafting Group on the "right to housing" completed its work yesterday morning. Consensus was reached on all relevant paragraphs (2bis, 9, 13, 24, 44 and 44bis) with the exception of language regarding illegal forced evictions in 44bis(b). The "full and progressive realization of the right to adequate housing" is reaffirmed. Text regarding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the responsibilities and obligations of Governments is also agreed.