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La Via Campesina |e-newsletter| May 2019
by La Via Campesina 21 Jun '19

21 Jun '19

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* La Via Campesina | e-newsletter | May 2019 Donate [1] This edition of the newsletter is the result of a collective effort of organisations, which are part of_ La Via Campesina_ movement worldwide. To subscribe click here [2] OPINION: THE AGRARIAN ISSUE AND CURRENT CHALLENGES Throughout history, the progressive transformation of agricultural production has at its basis the struggle for land. This struggle aims to introduce a radical change in the productive structure; as a consequence, the agrarian issue is significant for the coexistence of humanity and it was dealt with by the leaders of social struggle.... Read more → [3] FEATURED ARTICLES SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS SEND AN OPEN LETTER TO ECUADOR ON THE CHEVRON CASE The Chevron case [4] in the Ecuadorian Amazon is paradigmatic in the struggle against corporate impunity. It's also linked to the struggle against ISDS, and for the UN Binding Treaty on Transnational Corporations and Human Rights. Read more → [5] SOUTH EAST AND EAST ASIA PEASANT ORGANISATIONS MEET IN SAKURA, JAPAN Ten peasant organizations who are members of La Via Campesina and one observer organization shared their struggles and activities to achieve food sovereignty during the six day-long meeting in Sakura. ... Read more → [6] HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEASANTS' RIGHTS MUST PREVAIL IN THE NEW COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY: ECVC Faced with the EU Bio-economy Strategy and the EU Presidency's proposals on CAP reform that underpin the vested interests of the agroindustry, ECVC and ECO RURALIS, in Bucharest, reject these proposals and demand that human rights and peasants' rights prevail in the new CAP, employing the Decade for Family Farming. ... Read more → [7] WOMEN'S STRUGGLES FOR A PEASANT AND PEOPLE'S FEMINISM _Towards the VII CLOC - LVC Congress (25 to 30 June, Havana - Cuba) _ The evolution of rural women's political participation in politics in Latin America is intimately linked with the rebellions expressed in the popular uprising of indigenous people and peasants and the united front that was built to confront the attempts to celebrate [in 1992] the 500 years, under the colonizers and their allied or submissive governments, since the "discovery" and the rape and pillage of our America. ... Read more → [8] KARUTURI GLOBAL'S NEW LAND DEAL IN ETHIOPIA MUST BE SCRAPPED Two years ago, indigenous communities in Gambella, Ethiopia, celebrated the departure of the Indian company Karuturi Global, after its contract for a 300,000 hectares agribusiness project was finally cancelled. But a diplomatic intervention by the Indian government and lawsuits filed by the company appear to have pushed Ethiopian authorities to backtrack and offer a new lease, this time for 15,000 hectares. |... Read more [9] ECVC JOINTLY WITH 340+ ORGANISATIONS CALL ON THE EU TO IMMEDIATELY HALT TRADE NEGOTIATIONS WITH BRAZIL June 18, 2019: In an open letter published today, ECVC jointly with 340 civil society organisations are demanding that the European Union immediately halt free trade agreement negotiations with the Mercosur bloc (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) on the grounds of deteriorating human rights and environmental conditions in Brazil. ... Read more → [10] PEASANTS' VIEW OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE OF FAMILY FARMING Humanity, for thousands of years, has been able to adapt and domesticate seeds, which gave rise to the art of being a farmer. Entire villages have specialised in this art to feed their people, and with time, have expanded their seeds and the knowledge necessary to make them more productive. ... Read more → [11] LVC SOUTHERN AND EASTERN AFRICA REGION CALLS FOR A BINDING TREATY ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TNCS La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa (LVC SEAf) along with other members of the Southern Africa Campaign to Dismantle Corporate Power, gathered in Johannesburg for a meeting of its reference group, urgently call for popular and public support to the United Nations Binding Treaty on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations (TNCs) for the Human Rights violations. ... Read more → [12] FARMERS' RIGHT TO SEED IS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE: NFU CANADA Last December the United Nations adopted the _Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas_. This declaration was brought forward by La Via Campesina (LVC) - a global movement which brings together organizations representing small- and medium-scale farmers, peasants, agricultural workers, rural women and indigenous communities. ... Read more → [13] ECVC AND ECO RURALIS ARE ORGANISING A SERIES OF EVENTS ON RIGHTS OF PEASANTS THIS JUNE. HERE IS A LIST. The European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), together with Eco Ruralis - the Romanian peasants association, together with partners, is proud to announce the organization of several international events, in Bucharest, Romania, between 1-3 June 2019. ... Read more → [14] PEASANTS AND FARM WORKERS IN EUROPE CALL IT TIME TO DISMANTLE HETEROPATRIARCHY "Often our agendas of demands and struggles target the outside world, thanks to which, we achieve important reforms and victories for society. But many times we also forget to look inwards: inside of our organisations and within individuals. ... Read more → [15] THE LATIN AMERICAN COORDINATION OF RURAL ORGANIZATIONS (CLOC) AT 25 YEARS In February 1994, in Lima (Perú), under the slogan "United in Defense of Life, Land, Work and Production" the Latin American Coordination of Rural Organizations (CLOC) was officially established. Eighty-four (84) organizations from 18 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean came together for this historic moment. ... Read more → [16] FEATURED VIDEOS [17] A video, shot on 17 May 2019 and published on 22 May by the human rights NGO B'Tselem, shows Israeli settlers burning agricultural land belonging to Palestinian families in the village of Burin. It shows Israeli soldiers participating in the aggression, protecting settlers and preventing Palestinian peasants from intervening and extinguishing the fire. Watch video [17] YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AUTONOMY OF OUR MOVEMENT ------------------------- As a supporter who has contributed financial resources to La Via Campesina, and as an activist who joins us on the streets and in the fields, your support is always welcome and put to good use. You can renew your contribution to La Via Campesina by clicking here [1]. [18] [19] Twitter [19] [20] Facebook [20] [21] Vimeo [21] To unsubscribe from the distribution list click here [2] For questions or comments, email LVCWEB(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [22] TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [23] To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [2] Links: ------ [1] https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/viacampesina [2] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/opinion-the-agrarian-issue-and-current-challeng… [4] https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/chevron-impunity-in-ecuador/ [5] https://viacampesina.org/en/social-movements-and-civil-society-organisation… [6] https://viacampesina.org/en/south-east-and-east-asia-peasant-organisations-… [7] https://viacampesina.org/en/human-rights-and-peasants-rights-must-prevail-i… [8] https://viacampesina.org/en/womens-struggles-for-a-peasant-and-peoples-femi… [9] https://viacampesina.org/en/karuturi-globals-new-land-deal-in-ethiopia-must… [10] https://viacampesina.org/en/ecvc-jointly-with-340-organisations-call-on-the… [11] https://viacampesina.org/en/peasants-view-of-the-united-nations-decade-of-f… [12] https://viacampesina.org/en/lvc-southern-and-eastern-africa-region-calls-fo… [13] https://viacampesina.org/en/farmers-right-to-seed-is-a-matter-of-principle-… [14] https://viacampesina.org/en/ecvc-and-eco-ruralis-are-organising-a-series-of… [15] https://viacampesina.org/en/peasants-and-farm-workers-in-europe-call-it-tim… [16] https://viacampesina.org/en/the-cloc-at-25-years/ [17] https://youtu.be/kAgYyaHvNuc [18] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/ [19] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina [20] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [21] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina [22] http://www.viacampesina.org [23] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org

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Chevron Case: An open letter to Ecuador
by La Via Campesina 23 May '19

23 May '19

Social movements and Civil Society Organisations send an open letter to Ecuador on the Chevron case The Chevron case [1] in the Ecuadorian Amazon is paradigmatic in the struggle against corporate impunity. It's also linked to the struggle against ISDS, and for the UN Binding Treaty on Transnational Corporations and Human Rights. The Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity [2], allied with members of the European Campaign "Rights for People, Rules for corporations - Stop ISDS" [3], as well as other allies at the international level, in coordination with the Union of those affected by Chevron - Texaco in Ecuador (UDAPT) [4], carried out several actions worldwide. On 21st May #AntiChevron Global Day of Action more than 280 organisations, networks, Unions and movements worldwide, in representation of more than 280 millions of people, addressed this letter to the Ecuadorian Government on the Chevron case. ------------- LETTER TO ECUADOR ON THE CHEVRON CASE [5] Mr. Lenín Boltaire Moreno Garcés President of the Republic of Ecuador _21 May 2019_ Regarding the Chevron-Texaco Case in Ecuador MR. PRESIDENT, We who belong to many international civil society social organizations and networks who are committed to human rights and social, economic and environmental justice are writing to you because we are deeply concerned about the Chevron-Texaco case in the Ecuadorian Amazon region. The case is irrefutable proof of the way the system whose purpose is to ensure the impunity of transnational companies all over the world works. After 25 years of trials, and although a judgement requiring Chevron (formerly known as Texaco) to pay US$9,500 million to repair environmental damage, has been ratified at every level of the Ecuadorian judicial system, it has never been enforced [6]. To avoid complying with it, Chevron withdrew all of its assets from Ecuador. Because they did that, the men and women affected by the environmental disaster had to have recourse in foreign courts (in Argentina, Brazil and Canada) to have the judgement recognised and enforced, but so far, they have had no success. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of those affected continue suffering serious health effects. The cancer rate in the contaminated area reaches up to 8-10 times the national average. Chevron left 880 pits full of crude oil which are still there, the rivers are still full of hydrocarbon sediment and polluted by the crude oil spills in Amazonia, which is one of the most biodiversity rich regions in the world. The damage has been left unrepaired for more than 40 years. Corporate crime goes on. Even worse, in 2009 Chevron sued the Ecuadorian state at the International Court in The Hague using the Investor State Dispute Settlement Mechanism (ISDS). The oil company also sought economic compensation and asked that the arbitration panel interfere in the Ecuadorian justice system itself. In August 2018, the arbitration panel ruled in favour of Chevron and sentenced Ecuador to pay a still unknown sum to the transnational company. Moreover, it ordered the Ecuadorian government to prevent the judgement of the Ecuadorian courts from being enforced. These provisions are unconstitutional and inapplicable in Ecuador. If the government were to execute the arbitration ruling, it would be violating its own constitution, wiping out the rights of the 30,000 people affected by Chevron and openly favouring that company's interests. This decision would therefore establish a dangerous precedent at the international level which could encourage similar arbitration tribunals, putting them above domestic law courts and thus undermine the legal bases of the rule of law. Mr. President, today your government is heading the process that is working towards drafting a binding UN treaty on transnational corporations with respect to human rights [7]which could put an end to corporate impunity. These negotiations are taking place in the Human Rights Commission. It is worth pointing out that this treaty is a response to a demand from millions of people who belong to hundreds of social and environmental organizations, unions and affected communities around the world. Today, popular mobilization against the ISDS is growing [3]. Proof of this is that recently more than half a million signatures from European Union citizens were delivered to the Vice President of the European Commission asking that the European Union reject the ISDS and support the UN Binding Treaty and other regulations to force transnational companies to respect human rights. Mr. President, we remind you that the aforementioned case is not an exception. Chevron has been denounced for negative social and environmental impacts in other countries [8], for example, their fracking projects in Argentina have seriously affected Mapuche indigenous communities. What is more, oil companies like Chevron bear a large part of the responsibility for climate change [9] which today has caused hundreds of thousands of victims, driven thousands from their homes - climate refugees - and is also thrusting the whole planet into the worst environmental crisis ever see. Mr. President, we tell you that we cannot understand the direction that your government is taking currently with regard to this case. WE REMIND YOU THAT IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY STATE TO PROTECT ITS POPULATION'S HUMAN RIGHTS FROM THE VIOLATIONS OF THIRD PARTIES. WE DEMAND THAT YOU NOT GIVE IN TO THE PRESSURE FROM THE UNITED STATES OR FROM CHEVRON BUT PUT THE RIGHTS OF ECUADORIAN MEN AND WOMEN FIRST AS THE CONSTITUTION OF ECUADOR DEMANDS. We ask you not to intervene in the court case between the affected communities (who are grouped together as UDAPT - Union of those Affected by Chevron-Texaco's Oil Operations) and the transnational company but that, on the contrary you give your support and protection to the indigenous and rural communities, respecting, protecting and guaranteeing their rights over the interests of international companies. SEE HERE THE LETTER AND THE 280 ENDORSEMENTS [5] Links: ------ [1] https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/chevron-impunity-in-ecuador/ [2] https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/ [3] https://stopisds.org/ [4] http://texacotoxico.net/ [5] https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Carta_Ecua… [6] http://texacotoxico.net/en/the-case/ [7] https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/binding-treaty-un-process/ [8] https://ejatlas.org/featured/chevronconflicts [9] http://climateaccountability.org/carbonmajors.html

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Via Campesina E-newsletter, April 2019
by La Via Campesina 17 May '19

17 May '19

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Via Campesina E-newsletter, April 2019 To Donate to the Peasant Movement, click here [1] This edition of the newsletter is the result of a collective effort of organisations, which are part of_ La Via Campesina_ movement worldwide. TO SUBSCRIBE CLICK HERE [2] #17APRIL: AROUND THE WORLD This April, scores of mobilisations and demonstrations around the world called for an urgent implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants by ushering in agrarian reform. This article looks at the highlights of these direct actions and demonstrations that took place during the month. READ MORE [3] OTHER NEWS FROM APRIL 2019 We, the youth of La Via Campesina, gathered in Thiès, Senegal, from 25-28 April, express our solidarity with the peasant youth of all those peoples who are being attacked by capitalism, imperial power, agribusiness and transnationals, and particularly with the youth of Palestine, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Venezuela and Mozambique. READ THE THIÈS DECLARATION [4] La Vía Campesina stood in support of the organized sectors of Colombian society that mobilised on the 25th of April, during a National Peasant, Indigenous, Afro-descendent, Worker and Popular Strike. READ OUR PRESS RELEASE [5] _ALSO READ:_ "The only struggle that is lost is that which is abandoned", FINAL DECLARATION [6] from the III Solidarity Mission to Colombia Global Network against Corporate Impunity condemns the arrest of Julian Assange. The Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity expresses its deepest concern at the arrest of Julian Assange on April 11, 2019, at the Embassy of Ecuador in London and calls on the UK government to demand his freedom and non-extradition to the United States. READ THE STATEMENT [7] DECADE OF FAMILY FARMING: 'PEASANT AGRICULTURE MUST BE THE FOCUS', SAYS VIA CAMPESINA IN DERIO READ THE FULL TEXT [8] of the intervention made by Joan Brady, the International Coordination Committee member of La Via Campesina, during the closing session of the VI Global Conference on Family Farming, March 2019, Derio. YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AUTONOMY OF OUR MOVEMENT ------------------------- As a supporter who has contributed financial resources to La Via Campesina, and as an activist who joins us on the streets and in the fields, your support is always welcome and put to good use. You can renew your contribution to La Via Campesina by clicking here [1]. [9] This edition of the newsletter is the result of a collective effort of organisations, which are part of_ La Via Campesina_ movement worldwide. To subscribe to our monthly newsletter click here [2] To unsubscribe from the distribution list click here [2] For questions or comments, email LVCWEB(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [10] TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [11] To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [2] Links: ------ [1] https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/viacampesina [2] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/rights-of-peasants-and-agrarian-reform-what-the… [4] https://viacampesina.org/en/thies-declaration-in-solidarity-with-young-peas… [5] https://viacampesina.org/en/%EF%BB%BFla-via-campesina-supports-the-national… [6] https://viacampesina.org/en/the-only-struggle-that-is-lost-is-that-which-is… [7] https://viacampesina.org/en/global-network-against-corporate-impunity-conde… [8] https://viacampesina.org/en/decade-of-family-farming-peasant-agriculture-mu… [9] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/ [10] http://www.viacampesina.org [11] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org

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Latest Nyeleni Newsletter on "Agroecology: Real innovation from and for the people" is available online
by La Via Campesina 06 May '19

06 May '19

AGROECOLOGY: REAL INNOVATION FROM AND FOR THE PEOPLE 6 MAY 2019 The crisis in the industrial food system is impossible to ignore. For over a decade, study after study has validated the assertion of the Food Sovereignty movement in 2007 - that the corporate food system destroys life. Now Governments are anxious to find 'innovations' in agriculture that can overcome this. They are hoping to be saved by a new Green Revolution(...). On the other hand Agroecology within the framework of Food Sovereignty is also gaining widespread recognition and is increasingly being promoted as an approach to transform agriculture and food systems and address the challenges we face. The Food Sovereignty movement is exposing how the discourse on innovation is actually a way to depoliticise the debate on what a new food system should look like - by not setting any criteria on what innovation must deliver on. In this way Agroecology is put together with GMOs, new gene breeding technologies, 'climate-smart agriculture' and 'sustainable intensification'. (...) In this edition, we look at the elements of Agroecology as defined by small scale food producers that make it the only real innovation to transform our food and farming. _Click here to download the English [1]edition or_ read it directly on the website at www.nyeleni.org [2] ! Links: ------ [1] http://www.nyeleni.org/ccount/click.php?id=133 [2] http://www.nyeleni.org/

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April 17th, 2019 – “The Declaration on Peasants’ Rights should become a political tool for Agrarian Reform and Social Justice”
by La Via Campesina 17 Apr '19

17 Apr '19

APRIL 17TH, 2019 – "THE DECLARATION ON PEASANTS' RIGHTS SHOULD BECOME A POLITICAL TOOL FOR AGRARIAN REFORM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE" 17 APRIL 2019 FOOD SOVEREIGNTY [1], GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR AGRARIAN REFORM [2], LAND, WATER AND TERRITORIES [3], PEASANTS' RIGHTS [4] PRESS RELEASE – LA VÍA CAMPESINA. (Harare, April 17th, 2019) Today, April 17th, 2019, the International Day of Peasants' Struggle, the member organisations of La Via Campesina are reaffirming the Declaration on Peasants' Rights as a political tool to strengthen the global struggle for decent living and working conditions in rural areas. The Declaration should also be a tool for the worldwide promotion of urgently-needed agrarian reform programmes, as essential components of public policies that countries should implement in their respective territories. On this International Day of Peasants' Struggle, we are also demanding full respect for our rights. The defence of land and territory is not a crime. There must be an end to impunity and an end to criminalisation, eviction, and killing. Today, when WE REMEMBER THE "ELDORADO DOS CARAJÁS MASSACRE" [5], which took place 23 years ago in Brazil, and when we remember our other struggles in other places, we are calling for Peasants' Rights with Agrarian Reform and Social Justice. As an international peasant movement, we are asking for agrarian reform programmes within a process of developing food sovereignty. We are asking for the strengthening of peasant family farming, which guarantees the right of rural and urban workers to healthy food at fair prices and makes possible the effective implementation of the PEASANTS' RIGHTS DECLARATION [6] all over the world. Our proposal for AGRARIAN REFORM NOT ONLY ENSURES THE DEMOCRATISATION OF ACCESS TO LAND, BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES ALL OF THE FACTORS THAT ALLOW PEASANTS – WOMEN AND MEN – TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY: education, health, culture, infrastructure, as well as public goods such as water, the seas, mangrove swamps and inland waters, seeds, and biodiversity as a whole. It implies market regulation and an end to land grabbing, evictions, and killings. It also includes the STRENGTHENING OF AGROECOLOGICAL PRODUCTION as a way of farming that is consistent with natural cycles and that can slow down climate change, maintain biodiversity, and reduce pollution. With the worldwide onslaught of capital, especially in Latin America, "one of the principal challenges is the combined struggle for land, for food that is free from poisons, and for social justice. This means that, in order to guarantee respect for Peasants' Rights in our territories, we need to build unity around a popular counter-offensive for regaining ground in our continent and for demanding public policies that are beneficial to us", states Diego Montón of the National Peasant Indigenous Movement (Movimiento Nacional Campesino Indígena) of Argentina. In Asia, there are other problems and issues. Peasant women face many obstacles to ensuring that their rights are respected. In particular, women do not have the right to land, and they are unjustly treated both within social organisations and in their communities. In addition, peasants do not receive fair prices for their products, a situation that has given rise to many protests in southern and south-eastern Asia during the past year. The Asian region is also facing a series of regional and multilateral free trade agreements. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is one of the largest of these agreements; it covers 16 Asian-Pacific countries and poses a potential threat to Peasants' Rights. Agrarian reform in the Middle East and North Africa is interlaced with occupation and colonialism; it is a key factor for attaining food sovereignty in a context of war. For peasants, agrarian reform is an imperative right; without that right, it is impossible to attain autonomy and independence, to overcome exploitation, servitude and erosion, or to confront the policies of direct and indirect colonisation enacted by the regimes in power. As member organisations of La Via Campesina, we are extremely worried to note that, in every corner of the planet - Africa, America, Europe, and Asia, we are confronted by capitalist interests that put the rush to extractivism before life itself. We are confronted by changes in soil use and by landgrabbbing on a massive and alarming scale that is in direct contradiction with popular agrarian reform. This situation not only threatens Peasants' Rights, but it also jeopardizes Food Sovereignty the world over. This is why, on April 17th, we are joining together, in solidarity and struggle, to say: PEASANTS' RIGHTS NOW! WITH AGRARIAN REFORM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE! CONTACTS: * Diego Montón, National Peasant Indigenous Movement (Movimiento Nacional Campesino Indígena) of Argentina. - Spanish (+54 92615062) * Marina Dos Santos, The Landless Movement of Brasil - Portugués/ Spanish (+55 21981850558) * Henry Saragih, SPI, Indonesia - English * Federico Pacheco - Andalusian Union of Workers, SOC- SAT. French (+34 0690651046) GLOBAL MAP OF ACTIONS THIS WEEK! CLICK HERE FOR THE MAP [7] Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-for/food-sovereignty-and-t… [2] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-for/agrarian-reform/global… [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-for/agrarian-reform/ [4] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-for/human-rights/ [5] https://viacampesina.org/en/brazilian-peasants-organize-protests-to-demand-… [6] https://viacampesina.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/03/UN_Declarati… [7] http://u.osmfr.org/m/312717/

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#17April | International Day of Peasant Struggles 2019: Peasants’ Rights NOW! With Agrarian Reform and social justice!
by La Via Campesina 04 Apr '19

04 Apr '19

#17APRIL | INT'L DAY OF PEASANT STRUGGLES 2019: PEASANTS' RIGHTS NOW! WITH AGRARIAN REFORM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE! 4 APRIL 2019 GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR AGRARIAN REFORM [1], LAND, WATER AND TERRITORIES [2], PEASANTS' RIGHTS [3] CALL FOR GLOBAL ACTION, LA VIA CAMPESINA (HARARE, APRIL 4, 2019) This April 17th - the International Day of Peasant Struggle - with our living memory and rebellion inherited from our 19 landless comrades murdered with impunity in the Eldorado do Carajás Massacre in Brazil, we call upon our members, friends and allies to come together with strong actions worldwide, affirming that the only way to obtain Peasant Rights is with Agrarian Reform and Social Justice. On 17 December 2018, the 73rd Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York adopted the UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF PEASANTS AND OTHER PEOPLE WORKING IN RURAL AREAS [4]. The Declaration is an international legal instrument. As Via Campesina we must mobilize for its real implementation in our territories, and this implies that the State guarantees access to the land, the protection of seeds facing commercialization, putting a stop to evictions and deaths, as well as creating measures against agrochemicals; social justice means that those who feed the world live in dignified conditions and in peace in the countryside, without being prosecuted for defending their rights and territories. In this current context of extractivism and the alarming rate at which lands are forcefully grabbed from our people, the urgency of Agrarian Reform proves strategic. Particularly so, since the neoliberal offensive in the whole world is accompanied by the loss of the rights of the working class and consequently of the peasantry. This is why this April 17th we are mobilizing and calling for struggle and resistance in all territories. We also invite other organized social movements, unions, universities, media who are friends of the peasant movements and governments that prioritize the welfare of its people to join us in the worldwide actions of solidarity. The rights of peasants cannot be substituted by public policies based on the interest of the global market and agribusiness. We denounce this model that not only marginalizes our peasant communities but also appropriates our rights, common goods and lives, in the name of productivity and for the development of the capitalist system in the countryside. So, we make a call to lift our fists in unity, in the country and in the cities for Peasant Rights, Food Sovereignty and Agroecology, globalizing the struggle and the hope of the people facing this model of death. CONSCIOUS SOCIAL MOBILIZATION! This #17April participate in the multiple actions organized worldwide, organize actions in the territories in the form of protests, discussion forums, seminars, farmers markets, film screenings. Use any of these ways of expressing to demand the implementation of Peasant Rights with Agrarian Reform and Social Justice. During this day of Global Action, we say that an urgent global Agrarian Reform guarantees Peasant Rights, and we denounce the concentration of land into the hands of a few that we are witnessing at a global scale. Share your plans with us on this email: lvcweb(a)viacampesina.org, and we will add them to a global map of actions that we are building online! Also please send articles, audios, pictures and videos of all actions to be able to share them on our website and LaViaCampesinaTV. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL NETWORKS: #PeasantsRightsNOW, #AgrarianReformAndSocialJustice, #LaViaCampesina PEASANT RIGHTS NOW! WITH AGRARIAN REFORM AND SOCIAL JUSTICE! Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-for/agrarian-reform/global… [2] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-for/agrarian-reform/ [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-for/human-rights/ [4] https://viacampesina.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/03/UN_Declarati…

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Via Campesina | e-newsletter | March2019
by La Via Campesina 28 Mar '19

28 Mar '19

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* Via Campesina | e-newsletter | March 2019 To Donate to the Peasant Movement, click here [1] #8MARCH: AROUND THE WORLD Brazil There were demonstrations by women all over the country; in São Paulo, 50,000 women gathered on Paulista Avenue. There were also important mobilizations in Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Fortaleza, Salvador. Thousands of women took to the streets to protest against the dismantling of Social Security, the increase in feminicide and the setbacks of the Bolsonaro government, in addition to celebrating the legacy of feminist activist Marielle Franco. On March 14, 2019, the women of the Movement of Landless Rural Workers, MST, and the National Movement for Sovereignty in Mining, MAM carried out a blockade of the rails and stopped the cargo train of mining giant Vale, denouncing the social and environmental crimes in Mariana and Brumadinho, in the state of Mina Gerais. Honduras Women in Honduras took direct action against the Ministry of Justice, in that country where more than 6,000 people have been prosecuted for conflicts related to access to land. It is estimated that 1700 of these prisoners are women. The organizations denounced the alarming criminalization that has its most atrocious expression in the murders. In the last 9 years, around 120 agrarian and peasant activists have been murdered for defending their lands. Columbia In Colombia, a territory riddled with violence and persecution, women demanded that the genocide and the judicial processes against popular, indigenous, peasant and peasant leaders must stop; and that defending life, peace and territory should not mean death and exile, or jail, but rather, on the contrary, that it gives rise to social and political recognition as a citizen of a country that is moving towards democracy. Japan In Japan peasant members of Nouminren joined a march of solidarity outside the Japan Education Centre, also marking the 40th anniversary of the Treaty on Elimination of Discrmination on women. El Salvador In El Salvador, on March 8, feminists, members of the National Health Forum, the Women's International Democratic Federation and La Via Campesina of El Salvador took to the streets and marched together to demand their right to live free from all forms of discrimination and violence. Argentina In Argentina large marches were registered, the struggle against the legalization of abortion is a flag within the feminist movement of the cities and the countryside, green scarves gain more followers on a global scale. Spain In Lugo, Spain, the women of the Sindicato Labrego Gallego took to the streets together with allies. The Andalusian Union of Workers, SOC - SAT also carried out several actions in Andalusia. Srilanka In Srilanka peasant members of MONLAR organised women in a campaign against expolitative micorfinancing businesses that has trapped the communities in deep debts. Several hundred women, among them peasants and rural workers demonstraed in Vavuniya, a town in the Northen province of Srilanka. South Korea In South Korea, peasant members of the Korean Women Peasant Association (KWPA) organised a Sister's Feminism Talk, in which activists explained their long struggle against patriarchy, how they carved a space for themselves within the peasant movement in Korea. To read a detailed update of the direct actions that women of La Via Campesina took worldwide click here [2] YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AUTONOMY OF OUR MOVEMENT ------------------------- As a supporter who has contributed financial resources to La Via Campesina, and as an activist who joins us on the streets and in the fields, your support is always welcome and put to good use. You can renew your contribution to La Via Campesina by clicking here [1]. [3] This edition of the newsletter is the result of a collective effort of organisations, which are part of_ La Via Campesina_ movement worldwide. To subscribe to our monthly newsletter click here [4] To unsubscribe from the distribution list click here [4] For questions or comments, email LVCWEB(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [5] TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [6] To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [4] Links: ------ [1] https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/viacampesina [2] https://viacampesina.org/en/8march-highlights-of-global-action-by-women-fro… [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/ [4] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en [5] http://www.viacampesina.org [6] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org

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“The Colombian people cannot be denied the right to Peace”, Via Campesina
by La Via Campesina 28 Mar '19

28 Mar '19

Via Campesina's Third Solidarity Mission to Colombia HARARE, 28 MARCH 2019: Via Campesina International is conducting its Third Solidarity Mission to Colombia in a new political context, with the recent election of President Iván Duque and the ongoing debate on the Statutory Law that provides the legal framework for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace. Among the Third Mission's goals is that of denouncing the alarming incidence, within the context of the peace process, of the targeted killings of women and men peasant leaders, as well as of the criminalization faced by peasant leaders. According to the United Nations report, during 2018 in Colombia, there was an increase of 164% in the number of such killings. In addition, the Mission is seeking to identify critical factors for the implementation of the points in the Peace Accord, which was signed two years ago by the Colombian government and the FARC. As part of the international guarantor component, Via Campesina has been participating in following up the implementation of Point 1 of the Accord, related to Integral Agrarian Reform. >From March 29th to April 2nd, seventeen Via Campesina delegates from Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa will take part in meetings with members of the Colombian Congress and in meetings with social organizations and movements. The delegates will also carry out visits to different parts of the country, and their Mission will conclude with a unified event in the center of Colombia, near Bogotá. During the visits, the LVC delegation will gain a firsthand acquaintance with the main problems faced by peasants who are engaged in building peace: the interests of transnational corporations; security and the presence of other armed groups (paramilitaries, other guerrilla movements, and criminal organizations). They will also learn about alternatives that are already being developed at the local level: productive projects; educational and social reintegration projects. Upon completion of its Mission, Via Campesina will make an assessment, indicating the precautions that should be taken in order for the peace process to advance in a democratic and participatory manner. Via Campesina believes that guaranteeing human rights is essential. In order to attain a lasting peace based on social justice, we must eradicate this phenomenon of unending and unpunished killings. We cannot deprive the Colombian people of their right to peace! PRESS CONTACTS: Nury Martínez (+57 3107720098) - Fensuagro - Poticial Coordinator of Vía Campesina South America. Andrey Hernandez (+57 3176358066) - Communication Cloc - Vía Campesina South America.

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For the life and dignity of women, we fight together against the exploitation and oppression of the capitalist and patriarchal system!
by La Via Campesina 07 Mar '19

07 Mar '19

FOR THE LIFE AND DIGNITY OF WOMEN, WE FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST THE EXPLOITATION AND OPPRESSION OF THE CAPITALIST AND PATRIARCHAL SYSTEM! 6 MARCH 2019 CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN [1], WOMEN [2] * La Via Campesina Press Release * International Women's Day (Harare, March 8th, 2019) The goals that gave rise to INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY continue to inspire us. They have become the rallying cry of the women and men in all parts of the world who are engaged in organised resistance to capitalism and patriatrchy. This is the reason why, today, in a spirit of UNITY and solidarity, we, La Via Campesina women from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe fighting for our rights and for life, are taking part in all of the activities and demonstrations organised by rural and urban women workers. THIS MARCH 8TH, WE TOO ARE GOING ON STRIKE! On this day of global action, we will be in the streets and public spaces, in peasant communities and rural areas, imbued with our strength and our capacity for resistance and organisation, re-affirming our message of struggle. In the current world context of an onslaught by capitalism in its most savage and overwhelming form, there have been increases in social inequality, in conflicts, and the incidence of xenophobia and homophobia, as well as in the criminalisation of those of us who are struggling for human rights and for life. In a climate of war-mongering and a context of migratory crisis, millions of people, including millions of women, are subjected to extreme poverty and violence. For this reason, we La Via Campesina women are mobilising today, March 8th, 2019, as we have done in years past. We are organising; we are struggling; we are calling for an END TO NEOLIBERALISM AND AN END TO THE PATRIARCHY! We are putting forward our proposalfor the construction of abetter world, celebrating our DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF PEASANTS AND OTHER PEOPLE WORKING [3] [3]IN RURAL AREAS [3], a political instrument that was adopted by the United Nations as a result of our concerted struggles. This declaration safeguards the right to a life with dignity for those of us who feed the world's peoples, and who are the custodians of land, water, and forests. For us, La Via Campesina women, food cannot be commodified in a globalised market that is driven solely by profit and that leaves millions of people hungry. For us, food production should be grounded in Food Sovereignty that is built on agroecology. In this context, we are the principal actors, promoting peasant agriculture on the basis of respect for the rights of peasant women and men. This would require a change in regional policies for rural areas, accompanied by a feminist perspective - a popular peasant feminism that guarantees the rights of women and ensures their participation in political decision-making. We believe that in order to end gender-based violence it is essential to empower women and to guarantee their rights and bring about their emancipation. This is why the women and men of La Via Campesina, in a single expression of struggle and liberation, are saying today: FOR THE LIFE AND DIGNITY OF WOMEN, WE FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST EXPLOITATION AND OPPRESSION! We remain firm in our mission of planting the seeds of hope and liberation for rural and urban women all over the world. We are therefore expressing our sisterly solidarity with all of the women of the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S STRIKE, the aim of which is to show that women's work is a crucial element in the maintenance and reproduction of life and of the global economy. Only through social organisation and through training and political study, in cooperation with other feminist organisations of women and women workers, will we be able to advance towards a dignified life for women and men. FOR THE LIFE AND DIGNITY OF WOMEN, WE FIGHT TOGETHER AGAINST EXPLOITATION AND OPPRESSION! Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/what-are-we-fighting-against/patriachy/campaign… [2] https://viacampesina.org/en/who-are-we/women/ [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/03/UN_Declarati…

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La Via Campesina | newsletter| We will be stronger in 2019!
by La Via Campesina 24 Dec '18

24 Dec '18

*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|* La Via Campesina | e-newsletter | Sept - Dec 2018 "Special Edition" Donate [1] This edition of the newsletter is the result of a collective effort of organisations, which are part of_ La Via Campesina_ movement worldwide. This is also a SPECIAL EDITION that celebrates the adoption of the _UN Declaration on Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas_. We are ending 2018 on a high note, with renewed energies and a high momentum that will make us stronger in 2019! To subscribe to our monthly newsletter click here [2] FINALLY, THE UNITED NATIONS ADOPTS PEASANTS RIGHTS DECLARATION! _On 17 December 2018, the 73 Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 73) in New York adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. Now that the declaration is an international legal instrument, La Via Campesina (LVC) and its allies will mobilise to support regional and national implementation processes. With 121 votes in favour, 8 votes against and 54 abstentions, the forum of UNGA representing 193 Member States, ushered in a new promising chapter in the struggle for the rights of peasants and other rural communities throughout the world._ Read our press release [3] RECOMMENDED READING; * Communique [4] from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Plurinational State of Bolivia * FAO hails landmark UN resolution [5] that enshrines rights of peasants and rural workers * UN Human Rights Chief welcomes adoption [6] of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants * Declaration Represents Huge Advance for Human Rights, reports Common Dreams [7] [8] For more videos and reactions, visit our Facebook page [9] This UN Declaration can provide a global framework for national legislation and policies to: * better protect the rights of peasants - women and men - and improve livelihoods in rural areas * reinforce food sovereignty, the fight against climate change and the conservation of biodiversity * take actions to implement comprehensive agrarian reform and a better protection against land-grabbing * realise the right of peasants to conserve, use, exchange and sell their seeds * ensure remunerative prices for peasant production and rights for agricultural workers * recognise the rights of peasant women and bring about social justice for people of all origin, nationality, race, colour, descent. Sex, language, culture, marital status, property, disability, age, political or other opinion, religion, birth or economic, social or other status without discrimination RELATED ARTICLES FROM 2018 THIRD COMMITTEE APPROVED THE UN DECLARATION IN NOVEMBER _The resolution was approved by 119 votes in favour, 7 votes against and 49 abstentions. It is a significant leap forward in a campaign led by La Via Campesina, the world's largest peasant movement supported by many organizations across the world, including FIAN and CETIM._. Read more [10] INFORMATION NOTE ON THE UN DECLARATION The UN Declaration was originally initiated by the international peasant movement La Vía Campesina (LVC) over 17 years ago, with other social movements, mainly supported by - FIAN International and CETIM (Centre Europe-Tiers Monde) within the UN. Read more ... [11] UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE DECLARATION IN SEPTEMBER _Declaration on the Rights of Peasants awaiting final voting and adoption_ The resolution was passed with 33 votes in favour, 11 abstentions and 3 against. Read more ... [12] A LIFE OF PEASANT DELEGATES IN GENEVA: UNDERSTANDING THE STRUGGLE Union of Agricultural Work Committees and Palestinian Peasants Movement denounced the continuous attacks of Israeli Occupation Naval forces against the Palestinian fishermen while fishing within the allowed fishing zone. Read more ... [13] PEASANT VOICES Peasant leaders and farmers' representatives from across the continents react to the news of adoption and explains why the struggle in their territories will gather more strength now. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AUTONOMY OF OUR MOVEMENT ------------------------- As a supporter who has contributed financial resources to La Via Campesina, and as an activist who joins us on the streets and in the fields, your support is always welcome and put to good use. You can renew your contribution to La Via Campesina by clicking here [1]. [23] [24] Twitter [24] [25] Facebook [25] [26] Vimeo [26] To unsubscribe from the distribution list click here [2] For questions or comments, email LVCWEB(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [27] TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [28] To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [2] Links: ------ [1] https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/viacampesina [2] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/finally-un-general-assembly-adopts-peasant-righ… [4] http://www.cancilleria.gob.bo/webmre/comunicado/2985 [5] http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1175208/icode/?utm_source=twitter&amp… [6] https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24026&amp… [7] https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/12/18/global-peasant-declaration-re… [8] https://vimeo.com/307418750 [9] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/videos/278365602867959/ [10] https://viacampesina.org/en/united-nations-third-committee-approves-the-un-… [11] https://viacampesina.org/en/information-note-un-declaration-on-rights-of-pe… [12] https://viacampesina.org/en/un-human-rights-council-passes-a-resolution-ado… [13] https://viacampesina.org/en/palestine-uawc-denounces-the-continuous-attacks… [14] https://vimeo.com/307419098 [15] https://vimeo.com/308033411 [16] https://vimeo.com/307419120 [17] https://vimeo.com/307419055 [18] https://vimeo.com/307418973 [19] https://vimeo.com/307419027 [20] https://vimeo.com/307418941 [21] https://vimeo.com/307418994 [22] https://vimeo.com/308032630 [23] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/ [24] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina [25] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [26] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina [27] http://www.viacampesina.org [28] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org

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