The criminalisation of homelessness is on the rise in Europe. Bans on begging, the 'cleansing' of public spaces or the installation of 'defensive' street furniture are just some of the practices increasingly used to restrict and deny the basic rights of some of society's most vulnerable citizens.
In order to reverse this trend and reaffirm the ideals on which Europe is built, FEANTSA and Fondation Abbé Pierre are calling on all cities in the European Union to endorse the Homeless Bill of Rights in order to recognise and uphold the rights of people experiencing homelessness.
While this endorsement will not solve this complex problem, it will send a clear message to the general public, local policy makers and other local stakeholders that there are other ways to tackle homelessness.
It has a number of aims:
- To inform people of their fundamental rights and encourage them to use them, and to take action against people who do not respect the law;
- To raise awareness among people working in all social services and among the general public;
- To raise the awareness of the State and local authorities, reminding them of their obligations to welcome and support homeless people.
