FORCED EVICTION AND THE UNCERTAIN RELOCATION PROCESS OF AN URBAN POOR SQUATTER COMMUNITY IN JAKARTA: A Question from Human Rights Perspective Concerning The Government’s Policy

Jazak Akbar Hidayat

Balai Besar Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Kesejahteraan Sosial (BBPPKS) Banjarmasin, Kalimantan Selatan

jazakbar@yahoo.com

Abstract

This study addresses the dynamic and effects of forced eviction and the uncertain relocation of an urban poor community living in Jakarta. Many incidents of forced evictions color this phenomenon, in which the poor communities, especially the squatters, are susceptible to being displaced from the city and marginalized. An urban poor squatter community living in kampung Rawadas, Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta, the subject of this study, is an example that can give a picture of how the phenomenon of forced eviction happens and how it affects the community. Also, it raises a problem of human rights, especially right to housing, which should be the responsibility of the government –through its policy and programs- for its citizens who cannot afford it.

Keywords: Forced eviction, urban poor, human rights,