ANNEX I. >> M  etadata sheets on selected indicators Indicator 13 Reported cases of forced evictions in the reporting period [e.g., table on the right to adequate housing] Definition  This indicator refers to the number of reported individual cases of forced eviction during the reference period. “Forced eviction” is defined as “the permanent or temporary removal against their will of individuals, families and/or communities from the homes and/or land which they occupy, without the provision of and access to appropriate forms of legal or other protection” (Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 7 (1997)). Rationale  The Committee has observed that all persons should possess a degree of security of tenure which guarantees legal protection against forced eviction, harassment and other threats. It has argued that forced evictions are incompatible with the requirements of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (general comment No. 7 (1997)). Moreover, given the interdependence of all human rights, forced evictions frequently violate other human rights. While manifestly breaching the rights enshrined in the Covenant, the practice of forced evictions may also result in violations of civil and political rights, such as the right to life, the right to security of the person, the right to non‑interference with privacy, family and home, and the right to the peaceful enjoyment of possessions. The indicator is an outcome indicator related to the “security of tenure” attribute of the right to adequate housing. Method of computation  The indicator is computed as the number of all reported cases of forced eviction in a specific period of time. Data collection and source  The main data source for this indicator is records maintained by NHRIs, non‑governmental organizations (NGOs), administrative records of courts and other judicial bodies, and in certain instances records of administrative agencies responsible for or monitoring rehabilitation. Periodicity  Information on the indicator should be available periodically. It is often reported annually by mechanisms monitoring security of tenure. Disaggregation  To be meaningful, the information on this indicator should be disaggregated by sex, age (at least for children or young people under the age of 18), economic and social situation, ethnicity, minority, indigenous, colour, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, migrant, disability, sexual orientation, marital and family status, place of residence (rural/urban). Comments and limitations  The indicator can be one good summary measure of the realization of certain essential elements of the right to adequate housing. Yet, like all indicators that are based on events‑based data on human rights violations and depend on multiple information sources, the indicator may not be fully reliable. It may underestimate (or sometimes, though rarely, even overestimate) the incidence of forced evictions, if used casually to draw generalized conclusions for the country as a whole. Moreover, in most instances, the number of cases reported would depend on the awareness, access to information, motivation and perseverance of civil society organizations and the media in following the relevant events. Forced evictions occur in both urban and rural areas. Beautification and renewal, preparation for mega events (such as major sports events) and other “public interests” are often used to justify forced evictions in urban areas. In rural and remote areas, forced evictions could take place because of large-scale development projects (infrastructure, dams and roads), mining, extractive and other industrial activities or land grabs. When a forced eviction takes place, violations of a wide range of human rights may also occur 160 Human Rights Indicators