Kathmandu Squatter Evictions, A Crisis of Housing and Human Dignity

Kathmandu Squatter Evictions, A Crisis of Housing and Human Dignity

Why in News?

The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) recently demolished makeshift homes of squatters along the Manohara River, leading to violent clashes between residents and police. This event has reignited debates over housing rights, urban planning, and the lack of sustainable solutions for squatter settlements in Nepal’s capital.

Introduction

Squatter settlements in Kathmandu Valley have long been a persistent urban challenge. Recent eviction drives, aimed at reclaiming public land and beautifying riverfront areas, have once again highlighted the plight of landless families. Despite constitutional protections and recommendations from national commissions, evictions continue without viable resettlement plans, raising serious human rights concerns.

Key Issues and Background

1. The Manohara River Eviction

• The KMC demolished 25–30 shanties built on land earmarked for the Manohara Land Pooling Project.

• Despite a prior three-month eviction notice, squatters refused to vacate, leading to a confrontation with municipal and Nepal Police forces.

• The operation turned violent when residents pelted stones and bricks at police, who responded with baton charges.

2. Historical Context of Failed Resettlement

• In 2012, the government attempted to relocate squatters from Thapathali to a resettlement centre in Ichangu Narayani, Nagarjun Hills.

• The effort failed due to a lack of basic amenities such as electricity and running water.

• Successive governments and local authorities have been unable to implement effective, humane solutions.

3. Constitutional and Human Rights Concerns

• The Land Related Problems Resolution Commission (February 2024) urged all tiers of government to respect squatters’ constitutional rights.

• Evictions without proper resettlement plans violate human rights and humanitarian laws.

• The United Nations guidelines emphasize exploring all alternatives and involving affected communities in decision-making.

4. Global Precedents and Lessons

• Indonesia’s National Slum Upgrading Project offers a successful model for squatter management through systematic upgrading and community involvement.

• Nepal lacks a cohesive national strategy, relying instead on ad-hoc evictions that exacerbate homelessness and social tension.

Challenges

• Lack of Policy Coordination: Absence of collaboration between federal, provincial, and local governments.

• Inadequate Resettlement Facilities: Previous relocation sites lacked basic infrastructure, discouraging squatters from moving.

• Urban Planning Deficits: Beautification projects often prioritize aesthetics over the right to housing and dignity.

• Use of Force: Violent evictions deepen distrust between authorities and marginalized communities.

The Way Forward

1. Develop a National Squatter Policy:

   • Implement a systematic approach inspired by successful models like Indonesia’s slum upgrading programme.

   • Ensure direct involvement of squatters in planning resettlement initiatives.

2. Ensure Basic Amenities in Relocation Sites:

   • Provide electricity, water, sanitation, and access to education and healthcare in resettlement areas.

3. Explore Alternatives to Eviction:

   • Consider in-situ upgrading of settlements where feasible.

   • Offer affordable housing options or rental subsidies as alternatives.

4. Strengthen Legal Protections:

   • Enforce the recommendations of the Land Related Problems Resolution Commission to uphold squatters’ constitutional rights.

5. Promote Collaborative Governance:

   • Foster joint action between federal, provincial, and local authorities to address housing insecurity holistically.

Conclusion

The recurring eviction of squatters in Kathmandu underscores a failure of governance and empathy. While urban development is essential, it should not come at the cost of human dignity. Nepal must adopt a rights-based approach, learning from global best practices, to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left homeless in the name of progress. Sustainable solutions require not only policy innovation but also the political will to prioritize people over projects.

5 Questions and Answers

Q1: What triggered the recent clash between squatters and police in Kathmandu?
A: The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) demolished squatter settlements along the Manohara River, leading residents to protest with stones and bricks, prompting a police baton charge.

Q2: Why have past resettlement efforts for squatters failed?
A: Relocation sites, such as the one in Ichangu Narayani (2012), lacked basic amenities like electricity and running water, making them uninhabitable.

Q3: What did the Land Related Problems Resolution Commission recommend in February 2024?
A: The commission urged governments not to violate squatters’ constitutional rights and warned that evictions without proper resettlement plans contravene human rights laws.

Q4: How has Indonesia addressed its squatter settlement challenge?
A: Through the National Slum Upgrading Project, Indonesia implemented a systematic, participatory approach to improve living conditions in slums.

Q5: What is a key principle outlined by the UN regarding evictions?
A: The UN emphasizes exploring all viable alternatives to eviction and ensuring the participation of affected communities in decision-making processes.