Gaviria: Preventing destruction of cities must become priority for international community

Preventing the destruction of cities and the forced displacement of populations must become one of the key priorities of the international community, Paula Gaviria, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, said at an event within the framework of World Urban Forum 13 in Baku.

Report quotes her as saying urban crises are the result of human rights violations and the weakening of international humanitarian law.

"We cannot speak about the future if we are unable to prevent the destruction of cities and the displacement of communities," she said.

Gaviria noted that similar processes are being observed in Gaza, Syria, and Ukraine.

She emphasized that the international community must devote greater attention to preventing crises rather than only dealing with their consequences.

"How can reconstruction begin if violations continue and are not prevented?" the special rapporteur said.