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CTV reports the Olympic watchdog group Impact on Community Coalition (IOCC), has filed a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Council alleging that the Vancouver 2010 Games threaten free speech and could sour mass evictions.

The group has asked the United Nations to send human rights observers to Vancouver to keep any eye on civil rights, reports CTV.

IOCC spokesman Am Johan told a news conference Sunday, "in our view, both on terms of civil liberties and tenancy, Canada is not living up to adequate housing and basic democratic and civil liberties standards".

As an example, Johal said police in Vancouver have paid visits to the homes of Olympic activists and have increased the number of tickets they hand out - especially in the impoverished Downtown Eastside - for minor infractions such as jaywalking. The group reportedly suspects that the ticketing campaign is a precursor to jailing people who don't pay these fines.

CTV reports the complaint won't be heard until next spring after the Games are over.

Johal and other civil libertarians say they're not suggesting that Canada doesn't respect human rights, but they want the observers to ensure Canada's high standards aren't breached.

David Eby, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, said, "when you think about civil liberties violations internationally, I'm sure this would rank very low in terms of priorities for observers. With that said, Canada is expected to set a standard internationally, the gold standard for democratic rights, for free speech. And it would be an important symbol for them to consider sending observers because this is their opportunity to hold Canada accountable to the international example Canada sets".

On the housing front Johal said renters' advocates say they're concerned that evictions will spike in the months leading up to the Olympics.

They want provincial loopholes plugged that allow landlords to evict tenants during renovation. According to CTV the city has taken some measures to protect tenants during the Games including requiring building owners to obtain permits if they intend to rent space during the Olympics. Critics are concerned this system won't be adequately policed.

Meanwhile there have been no mass evictions to date in Vancouver. CTV reports the province bought nearly 20 low-rent hotels to be used for low-income housing. But there is concern about the loss of rental units due to condominium conversion. Homelessness figures have also jumped dramatically in the last three years, but CTV reports these phenomena can't be pegged to the Games.

(Source: Gamesbids.com)