Various definitions of secure tenure exist, but the most recent definition that was agreedupon during the Expert Group Meeting on Urban Indicators in October 2002, is: “theright of all individuals and groups to effective protection by the state against forcedevictions”. Under international law, ‘forced eviction’ is defined as: ‘the permanent ortemporary 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 form of legal or other protection. The prohibition on forced evictions does not, however, apply to evictions carried out by force in accordance with the law and in conformity with the provisions of the International Covenants on Human Rights (the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights).