III. Why monitor displacement? The primary objective of monitoring the conditions of displacement is to facilitate the protection and promotion of the human rights of IDPs. Arbitrary displacement is prohibited under the UNGPID.10 Internally displaced persons are entitled to their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights as articulated in the Constitution and international human rights law. They are likewise entitled to humanitarian assistance, such as assistance in accessing food, medicine, and shelter, among others. They have the right to be protected from physical violence, the right to education, the right to freedom of movement and residence, the right to participate in public affairs, and the right to participate in economic activities.11 Displaced persons also have the right to assistance from competent authorities in their voluntary, dignified, and safe return, resettlement, or local (re)integration. This includes assistance in recovering lost property and possessions.12 When restitution of property is no longer possible, the Guiding Principles call for compensation or just reparation.13 Reports from displacement monitoring activities help inform the actions and interventions of relevant stakeholders in humanitarian assistance operations, peacekeeping and camp management, and advocacy, among others.14 While addressing displacement issues is mainly a responsibility of the national government and local government units,15 non-state actors are also enjoined to protect and promote the rights of IDPs and affected communities. IV. Using the CHR IDP Monitoring Tool The CHR IDP Monitoring Tool contains a set of seven (7) forms/questionnaires that can be used to document displacement incidents and relevant observations regarding the condition of IDPs during the emergency phase (from the onset of Principle 6, UNGPID, which reads: 1. Every human being shall have the right to be protected against being arbitrarily displaced from his or her home or place of habitual residence. 2. The prohibition of arbitrary displacement includes displacement: (a) When it is based on policies of apartheid, “ethnic cleansing” or similar practices aimed at/or resulting in altering the ethnic, religious or racial composition of the affected population; (b) In situations of armed conflict, unless the security of the civilians involved or imperative military reasons so demand; (c) In cases of large-scale development projects, which are not justified by compelling and overriding public interests; (d) In cases of disasters, unless the safety and health of those affected requires their evacuation; and (e) When it is used as a collective punishment. 3. Displacement shall last no longer than required by the circumstances. 11 Principle 18, UNGPID. 12 Section V, UNGPID. 13 Principle 29, UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. 1998. (Cf. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IDPersons/Pages/Issues.aspx) 14Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons. Page 92. 15 De Mello, Sergio Vieira. 1998. Foreword to the Guiding Principles by the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. 10 5