Abu dhabi: 'We have legitimate rights, but we do not have legal documents to prove them,' Massa Kone, a member of the Habitat International Coalition, stated during a roundtable discussion titled 'Community-led action for adequate housing, land and basic services in the face of the climate crisis' held by mass and civil society organizations within the framework of WUF13, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Kone highlighted the achievement of recognizing collective public ownership rights over agricultural land in Africa. However, he pointed out that this recognition has not been extended to residential land, which is equally important. Kone emphasized that recognition of these rights for residential land is crucial as it provides communities the opportunity to defend their rights. During demolitions and forced displacements, communities are often asked about their rights, and lacking legal documents poses a challenge in defending these rights. Recognizing collective public rights legally would offer communities a negotiation basis in cases of demolition and displacement, strengthening their voice and ensuring they are heard by policymakers.

Kone further argued that legally recognized rights would empower people to defend their positions effectively. He identified the significant gap between legitimate rights and legally recognized rights as a problem that needs resolution for peace and stability. For developmental struggles to take place, people must first have decent living conditions. He questioned how individuals living in poor conditions and facing displacement fears could participate in development processes. He asserted that fundamental issues must be resolved by states respecting people's dignity and recognizing their legitimate rights, which he considers a primary concern before addressing other recommendations.