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Women of the World, Mobilise this #March8
by La Via Campesina 27 Feb '17

27 Feb '17

WOMEN OF THE WORLD, MOBILISE THIS #MARCH8 [1] For the women of La Via Campesina from all over the world, 8th of March is a day of struggle, resistance and denunciation of the capitalist system, transnational corporations (TNCs), patriarchy and masochism. These oppress, exploit and violate women. It's also a day of solidarity with women's struggles. As peasant women, we are fully committed to the struggle for food sovereignty as a solution for systemic change. This includes our struggle for access to land, water, health and seeds. We use agroecology as a political practice which envisions a world built on the principles of justice and equity. In recent times, we have seen an increase in violence against women. Our struggles and resistances are being criminalised in a context of growing conservatisms, dismantling of public policies and violations of long-fought-for women's rights. The recent grab of power by right-wing governments and heteropatriarchal forces around the world has further imposed an environment where women are violated, oppressed and in some cases assassinated with impunity. In this system, women suffer violence in different ways every day. There are patriarchal forces that confine and bind women in the private sphere, i.e. the home, to care for others. These forces constantly keep us, women, away from political sphere or the social and public life. Therefore, it is necessary for us, peasant women of the world, to take the street on this 8thof March, to mobilise, take action and defend our rights, lands, seeds, healthy food and to raise our voices to say Stop Violence Against Women, in ways that suit each organisation's struggles, goals and local contexts. We are committed to building alliances for the struggles of peasant women against capital and heteropatriarchal violence. Therefore, we also support and join the International Women Strike this 8th of March. STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN! GLOBALISE THE STRUGGLE, GLOBALISE HOPE! ------------------------- TAKE ACTION * Send in your posters, photographs, videos, event plans, press invitations to lvcweb(a)viacampesina.org * You can also create short videos. To know more click here [2] * To download posters, social media cards and more click here [3] CONTACTS: * Rashmi Munikempanna (India) - rashmi.munikempanna(a)gmail.com | +91 8762805428 * Iridiani Seibert (Brazil) - iridianigs(a)yahoo.com.br | +55 61999662804 * Mily Treviño-Sauceda (US) - milyliderescampesinas(a)msn.com | +19515451917 Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/women-mainmen… [2] https://cloud.viacampesina.org/s/YOBf5NNWxuaSPm3/download [3] https://cloud.viacampesina.org/s/YwJIqtryII1Z5cs

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La Via Campesina condemns of the murder of Suleiman Hammad, Palestinian farmer
by La Via Campesina 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

CONDEMNATION OF THE MURDER OF SULEIMAN HAMMAD, PALESTINIAN FARMER [1] LA VÍA CAMPESINA strongly condemns the brutal and intentional murder of our comrade Suleiman Hammad, an 85-year-old Palestinian farmer who on February 8th, 2017 was run over by an Israeli settler, while walking to work on his land near Al-Khader Village, south of Bethlehem. We send our condolences and solidarity to his family and our sister organization, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) of Palestine. We urge all people, social movements, and governments to pressure international institutions to help stop the systematic violation of the Right to Life of Palestinian farmers and bring an end to the Israeli Occupation of Palestine. WHAT YOU CAN DO? > * Write a statement against the constant violation of the Right to Life of Palestinian farmers. > * Break the international community's silence and act immediately to protect the Palestinian farmers and put pressure to end the Israeli Occupation. > * Organize protests in front of the Israeli Embassies to stop the Israeli violation against our farmers' rights. > * Other ideas? Keep us posted! Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/223…

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La Via Campesina | e-Newsletter | New Year Edition 2017
by La Via Campesina 02 Feb '17

02 Feb '17

La Via Campesina | e-Newsletter | New Year Edition 2017 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] REMEMBERING KATHY OZER, A FIGHTER FOR FAMILY FARMERS ------------------------- Kathy didn't just talk and study and explain. She worked! She organized! She advocated for those in need, and while we will feel her loss for some time, we are blessed she came our way. Her work will not be in vain. It will be on-going. She taught us well. Read the full statement issued by NFFC [3] VIA CAMPESINA CONDEMNS RECENT CRIMINALISATION OF TRADITIONAL SEED EXCHANGE IN TANZANIA ------------------------- [4]The recent reports that Tanzanian farmers would face heavy penalties or a long prison sentence if they continue their traditional seed exchange beyond government prescribed areas does not come as a surprise to La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa (LVC SEAf) and its allies. This confirm our fears and what we have been lobbying against:- Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA),[1] the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (NAFSN)[2] and the Common Markets for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)[3] and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)[4] seed harmonisation regulatory systems. The consultations with the smallholder farmers and their various associations was very limited and done on the last minute following an outcry by the Civil Society Organisations. We highlighted that seed policy harmonisation path to promote commercial seed industry will lead to criminalisation of traditional farmer saved seed systems whose foundation is among things underpin by ability to exchange their seeds without restrictions. Read the full statement [4] NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD INDONESIAN PEASANTS' UNION (SPI) DENOUNCE WTO PANEL RULING THAT FAVOR US AND NZ. ------------------------- Denouncing the ruling, Henry Saragih, General Chairperson of Indonesian Peasant's Union and member of ICC (International Coordination Committee) of La Via Campesina, has warned that this would hamper the efforts of the Indonesian government to strengthen and develop self-sufficiency in food and meat production. Read More [5] MILK CRISIS: DEREGULATION NOT IN THE INTEREST OF PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS ------------------------- European milk producers (ECVC and the European Milk Board - EMB) met again in Brussels for a symbolic action on the occasion of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting. Read More [6] COMMISSION AND COUNCIL ONLY ADD TO THE DAIRY OVERFLOW WITH THEIR MILK POWDER ------------------------- On January 23rd, the European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), along with the European Milk Board (EMB), demonstrated in front of the Justus Lipsius building - Rue de la Loi 175, 1000 Brussels, against the placement of milk powder resulting from public intervention, and in defence of the restoration of regulatory instruments on milk production in the EU. Read More [7] DEMONETISATION IN INDIA: FARMERS' GROUPS WRITE AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER ------------------------- Several farmers' groups in India have written a joint letter to the Prime Minister of India, highlighting the severe distress that exists in the countryside after the Indian Government withdrew nearly 86% of the currency in circulation overnight, in a supposed crackdown on corruption and 'black economy. Bharatiya Kisan Union, a member of La Via Campesina is also a signatory to the letter. Read More [8] "AGROECOLOGY IS A WAY OF LIFE" An in-depth interview with students of agroecologic school EDUCAR - Five young landless people on how they experience this educational process. Read More [9] PROMOTE PEASANT AGROECOLOGY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MIGRATION: LVC IN DHAKA ------------------------- La Via Campesina insisted throughout the PGA event in Dhaka that peasant agroecology is a solution to climate change and the need to call upon the nation states who are participating in Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) to rethink the development model they are pursuing. Read More [10] COP22: MARRAKECH DECLARATION ------------------------- For real alternatives to preserve environmental balances and recognise climate justice, For a fair and sustainable future for all peoples. Read More [11] JUSTICE FOR NICINHA AND THE RIVERSIDE COMMUNITIES OF THE BRAZILIAN AMAZON ------------------------- Mother, fisherwoman, activist of Brazil's Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (MAB - Movement of People Affected by Dams) and a courageous woman who was not afraid to denounce the human rights violations committed by the Sustainable Energy of Brazil Consortium (ESBR) against the communities on the banks of the Madeira River, Nicinha was criminally silenced. Read More [12] WOMEN PASTORALISTS: NEGLECTED IN THE 21ST CENTURY ------------------------- In her last regular column for Farming Matters, Elizabeth Mpofu makes a plea for governments to listen to pastoralists, particularly the women among them. Read More [13] "3% OF THE FARMS CONTROL 50% OF THE ARABLE LANDS IN THE EU": KAYA THOMAS ------------------------- At the FAO Workshop on the Implementation of Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), held in Budapest Hungary, Kaya Thomas from Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (AbL) /ECVC spoke at length about land fragmentation, collapsing rural infrastructure and contradictory land laws. Here is the full text of her speech that she delivered on behalf of CSOs and social movements. Read More [14] TOWARDS A POPULAR VOTE ON FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN SWITZERLAND ------------------------- Uniterre's quest to write food security into the Swiss constitutionOn the back of La Via Campesina's 4th international meeting in Maputo, the idea to incorporate food sovereignty into the Swiss Constitution took form under the Uniterre committee, a member of European Coordination Via Campesina. Read More [15] FREE TRADE, RURAL CANADA AND HOW TO KEEP CANADA FROM BEING TRUMPED ------------------------- The once mighty farmer cooperative handlers and processors have been dismantled and absorbed into a handful of transnational corporations. 80% of Vancouver's terminal capacity used to be owned and operated by prairie Pools. Now the private trade owns it all. With the Canadian Wheat Board gone there is no real economic participation by farmers beyond the farm gate, nor any referee to discipline the railroads | writes _Jan Slomp_ (President of the National Farmers Union. He farms near Courtenay, BC. Read More [16] DEMONSTRATION IN BERLIN: _WE ARE FED UP WITH AGRO INDUSTRY!_ ------------------------- Free trade agreements such as CETA, TTIP and EPAs with African countries will further liberalize the markets and lead to even greater export dependency. The agricultural policies in Berlin and Brussels need to be held responsible for that. We are farmers, food producers, beekeepers, bakers, gardeners, animal, environmental and nature activists, development workers, critical consumers and committed young people, calling on you to join us as we fight for a more rural and ecological agriculture on the 7th international "We are fed up!" demonstration. Read More [17] TRAINING CAMP ON ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE IN KARNATAKA, INDIA ------------------------- Thousands of farmers came together to attend a class on ecological farming at the Muruga Matha, a religious institution in southern Karnataka, where a five-day intensive study camp on a chemical-free farming method called Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) took place. Read More [18] WHAT DO LOVE LETTERS HAVE TO DO WITH FARMING? ------------------------- Shifting to agroecology and sustainable agriculture isn't just about a change in production models, its as much about changing the relationships we have - including between genders. Read More [19] AGROECOLOGY CAMP IN PUERTO RICO ------------------------- The goal of the encampment was to bring people together to work and learn with one another and study agroecology as a tool of struggle within the current political context. The methodology of the encampment consisted of farm work in the mornings, followed by facilitated discussions on topics including the agrarian history of Puerto Rico, agroecology as a tool for social struggle and gender dynamics within social movements. Read More [20] CALL FOR MORATORIUM ON NEW GENETIC EXTINCTION TECHNOLOGY AT UN CONVENTION ------------------------- At the 2016 UN Convention on Biodiversity held in Cancun Mexico in December 2016, international conservation and environmental leaders called upon governments to establish a moratorium on the controversial genetic extinction technology called gene drives.. Read More [21] REMOVAL OF IMPORT DUTY ON WHEAT WILL DESTROY FARMERS: WARNS BKU, INDIA ------------------------- Bharatiya Kisan Union opposes the removal of import duty on wheat and is instead demanding the government to hike it to 40%. Read More [22] INDONESIA PEASANTS' UNION PROTEST AGAINST CHEAP IMPORT OF POTATOES ------------------------- A large number of small farmers and peasants in Indonesia took out a massive protest against the cheap imports of potatoes, which has thrown the local varieties out of the market and has caused distress to local farmers. Read More [23] "THERE CAN BE NO DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF PEASANTS WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO LAND" ------------------------- Henry Saragih (Serikat Petani - Indonesia, La Via Campesina) and Ramona Duminicioiu (Eco Ruralis - Romania, European Coordination Via Campesina) spoke at the Palais des Nations in Geneva about the reasons why the Right to Land and other Natural Resources is crucial for the Declaration of the Rights of Peasants. Read More [24] DAIRY AND POULTRY IN INDIA—GROWING CORPORATE CONCENTRATION, LOSING GAME FOR SMALL PRODUCERS ------------------------- This case study prepared by Ashelsha Khadse was part of a report What's at Steak, published by Global Forest Coalition at the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Cancun, Mexico in December 2016. Read More [25] GRAPHIC NARRATIVE: TOGETHER WE CAN COOL THE PLANET! Year: 2016 Summary: Based on the video Together we can cool the planet! [26] co-produced by La Vía Campesina and GRAIN in 2015, we have created a comic book [27] to support training activities of social movements and civil society organisations around climate change. This comic book looks at how the industrial food system impacts our climate and also explains what we can do to change course and start cooling the planet. Download the Publication (English) [27] THE NEW EDITION OF THE NYÉLÉNI NEWSLETTER IS NOW ONLINE! Social movements, use agroecology to challenge existing power structures, to resist the multiple attacks on our Mother Earth, and as a tool for the social, economic, cultural, political and ecological transformation of communities and territories. Click here to download the English edition [28] or read it directly in the website at www.nyeleni.org [29] [30] Inspiring visuals from the mass mobilisation against Free Trade Agreements in Europe Watch Now [31] [32] HONEY AT THE TOP is a film about the Sengwer forest people of the Cherangani Hills, Kenya, being evicted from their ancestral land in the name of conservation. Facing international pressure from organisations like the World Bank, a corrupt Kenya Forest Service who are burning their houses, and attempts to turn the forest into a commodity through carbon offsetting schemes, the Sengwer fight to hold onto their culture and resist the evictions. Watch Now [33] [34] _DO NOTHING_, a film by Deadend Left and Amrita Bhoomi follows the story of a couple - KM Raje Gowda and Kalpana who move from chemical farming into Zero Budget Natural Farming (a method developed by Subhash Palekar in India). This is a portrait not just of their farm but also peeks into the Green Revolution, Pesticide Companies, Prof MD Nanjundaswamy's fight against TNCs via Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS). Watch Now [35] [36] After the earthquake April 7, 2016, a mute and silent plot of eviction, displacement and dispossession of the island of Muisne, has been weaving the government of the self-proclaimed "Citizen Revolution" in Ecuador. The declaration, 'high risk zone for its inhabitants' and 'area for the promotion of tourism', is a cruel irony that shows the government opacity and their shady interests. _"WE'RE NOT LEAVING, WE'RE STAYING HERE"_ has been the response of the people, women and men, of the island that multiplies resistance and calls organization for defense of homes and land, that cradle of mangrove that was born. Watch Now [37] 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 [1]here. [1] [38] Follow us on twitter [38] [39] Find us on Facebook [39] [40] Subsribe our Vimeo Channel [40] To unsubscribe from the distribution list, questions or comments, write to VIACAMPESINA(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [2] Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/ [2] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/222… [4] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [5] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/10-yea… [6] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/food-sovereig… [7] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/food-sovereig… [8] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/221… [9] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/sustainable-p… [10] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/221… [11] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/-clima… [12] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [13] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/women-mainmen… [14] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/agrarian-refo… [15] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/food-sovereig… [16] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/food-sovereig… [17] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/2222-c… [18] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/sustainable-p… [19] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/youth-mainmen… [20] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/sustainable-p… [21] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/biodiversity-… [22] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/220… [23] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/220… [24] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [25] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/publications-mainmenu-30/2210-dairy-a… [26] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Together-we-can-cool-the-planet-801?lang=en [27] https://www.grain.org/attachments/4105/download [28] https://viacampesina.org/en/images/stories/pdf/2016-12-14-Nyeleni_Newslette… [29] http://www.nyeleni.org/ [30] https://vimeo.com/200014663 [31] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Stop-CETA?lang=en [32] https://vimeo.com/132069480 [33] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Honey-at-the-Top?lang=en [34] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTWUu_HB4z0 [35] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Do-Nothing-a-film-on-Zero-Budget?lang=en [36] https://vimeo.com/198361627 [37] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Musine-We-re-staying?lang=en [38] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina [39] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [40] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina

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Demonitisation in India: Farmers' Groups write an open letter to the Prime Minister
by La Via Campesina 09 Jan '17

09 Jan '17

DEMONITISATION IN INDIA: FARMERS' GROUPS WRITE AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER [1] [2]Several farmers' groups in India have written a joint letter to the Prime Minister of India, highlighting the severe distress that exists in the countryside after the Indian Government withdrew nearly 86% of the currency in circulation overnight, in a supposed crackdown on corruption and 'black economy'. Three months since the decision to partially demonitise all bills worth 1000 INR and replace all bills worth 500 INR, the move has been widely criticised by economists of all leanings as chaotic and unwarranted. India is a predominantly cash-based economy. The government's drive to turn India into a cashless society,one where digital banking and plastic transactions would become the norm, has taken much of the rural society by surprise where digital infrastructure necessary to facilitate such a transition is barely existent. While mobile phone usage in India is impressively common, number of smartphone users are only a fraction of that number. More so, much of the rural population are out of the formal banking system due to lack of adequate infrastructure in the forms of bank branches and ATMs. The crackdown, announced abruptly on 8 November 2016, was intended to catch currency hoarders by surprise and thereby obliterate the black economy. The government had estimated that nearly 20% of the total cash in circulation were hoarded as 'black money' and this surprise step would effectively force the hoarders to either destroy those cash or come clean. At the time of publishing this article, reports indicate that nearly 97% of the cash currency have returned to the banks, effectively raising doubts about the claims that '20% of currency were being hoarded as cash'. Critics say that most of those who involve in money laundering and tax evasion have parked their assets in tax havens or in real estate properties and that this crackdown would do nothing to retrieve that back. Effectively, the rural agricultural economy which is heavily dependent on cash is in tatters. The English version of the open letter, reproduced below, gives a sneak peak into the distress that has dawned upon Indian farmers and farm workers, who were already reeling under back-to-back droughts and price crash on their produce due to cheap imports and agricultural dumping brought about by free trade agreements. Bharatiya Kisan Union, a member of La Via Campesina is also a signatory to the letter. ------------------------- DATE: 5 JAN 2017 DEAR PRIME MINISTER, Namaste! The signatories to this open letter to you represent lakhs of farmers of this country across various states and regions. We have been deeply distressed at the hardships that rural India in general, and farmers including agricultural workers have been going through from the time that you brought in demonetization of 86% of India's currency on November 8th 2016, in the name of curbing black money in our economy. Right from the beginning, it was clear that our rural and agrarian contexts/economies were not kept in mind and measures not taken specifically for these vulnerable and critical groups in this entire demonetization episode. We also listened to your address to the nation attentively and carefully on 31st December 2016 evening, hoping to hear some good news that will signal an end to the hardships. We had hoped that you will share some evidence on the gains from this "surgical strike" on the economy. We have however been disappointed. On the agriculture front, you talked about the government taking care of the interest on agri loans from DCCBs and Primary Societies for 60 days, by paying directly into the bank accounts of farmers. NABARD will be re-capitalising cooperative banks and societies to a tune of Rs. 41000 crores, you said. You also said that 3 crore Kisan Credit Cards will be made into RuPay Debit cards within three months so that they can be used by farmers anywhere. We find all of these inadequate when the entire season has been affected badly for the farmers. We also find that this is a rehash of what already exists. A reality check against these three major measures that you announced to ameliorate the sufferings of farmers shows the following: * When the entire agricultural season suffers due to an adverse effect on timely operations because of the demonetization move, postponing the loan repayment period by 60 days or the government bearing the interest for those 60 days to a tune of Rs. 333 for Rs.50000/- crop loan (usual short term loan amount for the average farmer covered by institutional credit) is a pittance against the hardship inflicted, that too in a good year. It is bad enough that farmers suffer natural disasters of all kinds, without having to face such surgical strikes in years when they could have recovered some losses. * The provision for RuPay and other debit cards against KCC existed since 2012 and 5.66 million such cards have already been issued in 2013-14 itself. A natural extension of this move by the UPA government should have actually covered 3 crore farmers by now and it would be surprising if that did not happen in the natural course of scaling up of this measure. * About the infusion of 41000 crore rupees of low interest credit to cooperative banks and societies by NABARD: this is not new, and in 2015-16, NABARD sanctioned credit limits aggregating 71497 crores under short term refinance portfolio and Rs. 48,064 crores in long term refinancing. This is the unutilized last quarter funding that was in any case available. * Given all the above, given that no clear benefits have been created from the demonetization move and our collective sacrifice, and given that there are no clear timelines indicated on when full cash availability will be restored, we are forced to conclude that farmers' hardships do not seem to matter to the government at all. In fact, your timing of the demonetization move had shown a dismaying disregard to farmers' livelihood cycles / agricultural seasonal calendars. Selling of kharif produce was affected as were the rabi season agricultural operations. Showing higher rabi sowing in 2016-17 against a bad season last year (2015-16) is not the measure to indicate that demonetization has had no impact on this Rabi. Estimating the contraction in rabi operations vis-à-vis a good year, without the demonetization impacts, would be the right thing to do. In villages all over India, we have come across numerous tales of hardship and woes, ranging from agricultural workers not being paid in time by farmers owing to shortage of cash, to farmers cutting back on investments on the crop management in this season, to farmers not being able to sell their produce with traders citing their own difficulties and importantly, loanee farmers from cooperative banks not even being able to repay their loans! Even timely repairs of machinery are becoming difficult. The thrift and credit activity in self help groups and their federations has also been affected. The difficulties of producers of perishable produce are particularly acute. There are also the hardships of returning migrant workers, who are unable to find work outside villages in other sectors. The biggest negative impact of this entire demonetization process so far is the destruction that is taking place of the rural cooperative banking sector,, whereas there is a dire need to actually strengthen rural banking and agricultural credit in numerous ways, including removal of political interference. The DCBs were not allowed to exchange or deposit invalidated 500 and 1000 rupee notes. This affected 12 crore customers of 33 State Cooperative Banks and 367 District Cooperatives Banks, even though all these SCBs and 349 DCBs are on the core banking platform. About 5 crore farmers, despite having fulfilled due KYC norms and having received kisan credit card loans, are unable to repay loans and reports suggest that loan offtake has come down drastically. If the current trends continue, cooperative banks are headed towards decimation. For those farmers/agricultural workers operating Jan Dhan Yojana accounts, the norms have been inequitable in terms of withdrawal limits. Coming to the policy dream of moving India to a cashless/less-cash digital economy, we can only say that farmers and other rural Indians would like basic infrastructure and services like uninterrupted power supply to be ensured, in the first instance, before such dreams can become a reality. Such services will directly contribute to our livelihoods and add to the economic growth of the country. It appears that "war on black money" and demonetization are being used to forcibly integrate the rural masses into certain techno-financial regimes. While these assure profits for the corporate sectors that run these techno-financial systems, they imply tremendous hardships on the average rural person, whose access to such systems is limited and for whom such systems will serve little purpose. The implementation of such a system does not take into account the gap between metropolitan financial systems and that of the rural and agrarian economies, and reflects a lack of intimate knowledge about rural economies. In the final reckoning, the current demonetisation will have introduced new forms of corruption (as already evident in the commission system for old notes, the transfer of large amounts of new currency to hoarders and income-tax evaders), punitive financial systems that will ensure huge profits to the corporate financiers, and will intensify the pauperisation of the rural masses, especially small and marginal farmers who form the bulk of the farming population. Like other sections of society, we had remained silent since you had sought sacrifices for 50 days from all citizens, till December 30th, in anticipation of some major benefits to be gained by the economy. However, it is unclear what the objective was for this entire exercise and how it has been achieved. History will remember this scheme as the most hurtful one since independence, in the name of resolving the problems of corruption, black money, and terrorism. During the Pre-Budget consultation on agriculture held by the Finance Minister on 19th November 2016, one of the important demands of various farmer unions to the government was to find ways of exempting farming transactions from demonetization rules. However, no positive intervention was taken up in this regard, other than to allow farmers to purchase some inputs like seeds from public sector bodies using demonetized notes. That was an extremely inadequate response from the government. There has also been an additional 60 days provided for repayment of farm loans, in addition to extension of timelines for crop insurance premium. All of these would have been helpful only if cash flows were actualizing and were getting enhanced, which is not the case right now. Meanwhile, the latest NCRB figures on farm suicides in 2015 highlight yet again, the deep distress in Indian agriculture, affecting both farmers and agricultural workers, with a vast majority of the farmers' suicides being related to indebtedness/bankruptcy. This nation cannot afford to put any more burden on its *anna daatas* who are keeping the country fed. At this juncture, we seek from you the following actions to ameliorate the hardships being faced by farmers: >From the black money netted (non-return of demonetized notes back to the banking system, or from the taxes and revenues collected by the current crackdown and new tax amnesty measures), each farm household (we are using an expansive definition of a farmer here to include agricultural workers too) should be paid through Direct Benefit Transfer Rs. 10,000/- at least. This would amount to around Rs.1.2 lakh crores of rupees, which is less than the projections made initially about the outcome of this war against black money. Cooperative Banks be immediately brought on par with other banks, first and foremost. All restrictions on deposits and withdrawals from the cooperative banks should be withdrawn. All withdrawal and deposit curbs on farmers should be withdrawn fully even in the context of Jan Dhan Yojana accounts. Announce a loan waiver immediately to all farmers, owing to the massive disruptions caused in the agricultural activities in this season. With increased NABARD funding, enhance soft loans to Joint Liability Groups and Self Help Groups. Provide for village level funds to finance and support women farmers. Further, in the kisan credit scheme, the scale of finance should be increased, interest rates should be lowered and agriculture credit expanded for more coverage. Given that the cash crunch is expected to continue, set up an MGNREGS-like mechanism to fund agricultural operations so that all agricultural operations continue smoothly even as workers get paid by government into their accounts, from where withdrawals should be allowed unconditionally. Double the allocation of MNREGA. Adequate arrangements be made from now itself for Rabi season sales and marketing to take place unhindered. Adequate cash flows be ensured with traders and other agencies so that farmers do not suffer in any way. Government should step in to procure as much as it can, including dals like arhar which are at present seeing a crash in the markets, and pay these amounts into farmers accounts immediately. ------------------------- SINCERELY, * Yudhvir Singh, General Secretary, All India Coordination Committee of Farmers Movement (AICCFM) * Virendra Kumar Shrivastava, President, Laghu Simant Krishak Morach, Uttar Pradesh * Virendra Dagar, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Delhi Rural * Vijay Jawandhia, Shetkari Sanghathana, Maharashtra * Vidyadhar Olkha, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Rajasthan * Sukhdev Singh Gill, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Himachal Pradesh * Satnam Singh Cheema, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Uttarakhand * Rusikulya Rayat Sangha * Ratan Singh Mann, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Haryana * Rajveer Singh Gadaun, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Uttar Pradesh * Poguri Chennaiah, Rashtriya Vyavasaya Vruthidarula Union (A Federation of Unions of agri.workers,marginal farmers & Fisher people in India) * Paschima Odisha Krushak Sangathan Samanvaya Samiti * Nallagounder, Uzhavar Ulaippalar Katchi (Tamil Nadu Farmers Association) * Mahila Kisan Adhikaar Manch (MAKAAM) * Krushak Bikash Mancha * Kiran Vissa, Raithu Swarajya Vedika * Kavitha Kuruganti, ASHA-Kisan Swaraj * K. Sella Mutthu, President, Tamil Nadu Farmers Association * Jayant Verma, Vice President, All India Agragami Kissan Sabha * Jagdish Singh, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Madhya Pradesh * Gurnam Singh, President, Bhartiya Kissan Union, Haryana * Dr Sunilam, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti * Dhan Singh Sherawat, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Maharashtra * Deshi Bihan Surakshya Mancha, Odisha * Com Hannan Mollah, General Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha * Ch. Rakesh Tikait, National Spokesman, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU) * Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, State President, Bhartiya Kissan Union (BKU), Punjab * Adi Krushak Sangathan Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/221… [2] http://media.indiatimes.in/media/content/2016/Dec/cf267b4a-826e-45f9-bfcc-d…

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170 Global Groups Call for Moratorium on New Genetic Extinction Technology at UN Convention
by La Via Campesina 27 Dec '16

27 Dec '16

170 GLOBAL GROUPS CALL FOR MORATORIUM ON NEW GENETIC EXTINCTION TECHNOLOGY AT UN CONVENTION [1] At the 2016 UN Convention on Biodiversity held in Cancun Mexico this month, international conservation and environmental leaders called upon [2] governments to establish a moratorium on the controversial genetic extinction technology called gene drives. Gene drives, developed through new gene-editing techniques- are designed to force a particular genetically engineered trait to spread through an entire wild population - potentially changing entire species or even causing deliberate extinctions. The statement urges governments to put in place an urgent, global moratorium on the development and release of the new technology, which poses serious and potentially irreversible threats to biodiversity, as well as national sovereignty, peace and food security. Over 170 civil society organisations from six continents have joined the call [2]. Among them were environmental organizations including Friends of the Earth International; trade unions such as the International Union of Food Workers representing over 10 million workers in 127 countries; the largest global organization of small-scale famers La Via Campesina International, and organics movements like the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements; the international indigenous peoples' organization Tebtebba; scientist coalitions including European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility and Unión de Científicos Comprometidos con la Sociedad (Mexico); as well as ETC Group and Third World Network. Also read [3] the briefing by Civil Society Working Group on Gene Drive. _(This article is an abridged, slightly edited version of what appeared on ETC Group website, early this month. To read the original article, click here [4])_ Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/biodiversity-… [2] http://www.synbiowatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CBD-Gene-Drive-Sign-o… [3] http://www.synbiowatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/case-for-gene-drive-m… [4] http://www.etcgroup.org/content/160-global-groups-call-moratorium-new-genet…

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Forward, to 2017!
by La Via Campesina 22 Dec '16

22 Dec '16

WISHING EVERYONE THE POWER TO CONTINUE OUR FIGHT INTO 2017, FIERCELY AND FEARLESSLY!

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La Via Campesina and GRAIN Comic book: Together we can cool the planet!
by La Via Campesina 13 Dec '16

13 Dec '16

COMIC BOOK: TOGETHER WE CAN COOL THE PLANET! Published on Tuesday, 13 December 2016 16:54 LA VÍA CAMPESINA, GRAIN Based on the video Together we can cool the planet! [1] co-produced by La Vía Campesina and GRAIN in 2015, we have created a comic book [2] to support training activities of social movements and civil society organisations around climate change. This comic book looks at how the industrial food system impacts our climate and also explains what we can do to change course and start cooling the planet. La Via Campesina and GRAIN have pointed out that the industrial food system is responsible for half of all greenhouse gas emissions. In the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa, we have been denouncing the false solutions to climate change such as GMOs, the "green economy" and "climate-smart agriculture". We say loud and clear: it is peasants and small farmers, along with consumers who choose agroecological products from local markets, who hold the solution to the climate crisis. We must all rise to the challenge! Click here to download the comic book in pdf format. [2] And share the video, available from: https://www.grain.org/e/5310 More information is available from: http://tv.viacampesina.org [3] http://viacampesina.org [4] http://www.grain.org [5] Visit GRAIN's page on food and climate at: https://www.grain.org/article/categories/526-food-and-climate Follow us on Facebook y Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL [6] @via_campesina [7] https://www.facebook.com/GRAIN.org [8] @GRAIN_org [8] Links: ------ [1] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Together-we-can-cool-the-planet-801?lang=en [2] https://www.grain.org/attachments/4105/download [3] http://tv.viacampesina.org/ [4] http://viacampesina.org/ [5] http://www.grain.org/ [6] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL%0d@via_campesina [7] https://twitter.com/via_campesina [8] https://www.facebook.com/GRAIN.org%0d@GRAIN_org

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La Via Campesina | e-Newsletter | November, 2016
by La Via Campesina 13 Dec '16

13 Dec '16

La Via Campesina | e-Newsletter | November, 2016 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] LA VIA CAMPESINA MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA, IN THEIR TIME OF NATIONAL MOURNING ------------------------- We the men, wo [3]men, and youth of La Vía Campesina, salute the people of Cuba during their time of national mourning over the death of Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz, historic leader of the Cuban Revolution and an inspiration for struggles of emancipation of poor people of the world, from imperialism and capital. We would like to express our most heartfelt condolences and solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Asociación Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños (ANAP) who, inspired by Comandante Fidel, have led the fight for food sovereignty and in this way feeding the people and protecting the natural resources. Just a few months ago, during their national congress, the members of ANAP celebrated the anniversary of the Agrarian Reform promulgated by Comandante Fidel 57 years ago. Read the full statement [3] 'NOT ONE LESS': NO MORE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN! La Via Campesina reaffirm its commitment to women's struggles for equal rights and human dignity ------------------------- We as women carry enormous responsibilities in this world, and feed entire nations using agroecological practices, without our economic, social, legal and political rights being recognised, and without public programmes to guarantee equal social and economic participation.For this reason we are making a global call to our organisations, allies and friends to join forces to support actions, mobilisations and activities to denounce the different types of violence faced by women and to criticize the capitalist patriarchal model and the encroachment of agribusiness in our territories. On this day of struggle we join the voices of millions of women who came together in Latin America on 19th October to shout "Not one less, we want us alive" to denounce the alarming growth in femicide[1] and male-chauvinist and misogynist violence against women. Read the full statement [4] NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD COP22: FALSE SOLUTIONS TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS MAY CONSTITUTE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY ------------------------- Approximately 40 people, from Morocco and all over the world, the majority of which were youth, represented La Via Campesina at Marrakech during COP 22. Read the press release [5] SYSTEM CHANGE, NOT CLIMATE CHANGE ------------------------- System change is an expression of root cause analysis, which is a critical part of what Vía Campesina is doing in Morocco this week. Instead of jumping haphazardly from the problem of the climate crisis to solutions, activists are affirming that they must first get to the heart of its contention. Read More [6] OVER 1500 POLICE PERSONNEL UNLEASH BRUTAL ATTACK ON PEASANTS IN MEKAR JAYA VILLAGE, INDONESIA ------------------------- Langkat Nusantara Kepong, a Malaysian plantation company, assisted by local police officials, unleashes brutal attack on peasants in Mekar Jaya Village in Indonesia to appropriate nearly 554 hectares of land! Read More [7] FAO SYMPOSIUM ON AGROECOLOGY ------------------------- A delegation representing La Via Campesina spoke at the FAO led symposium on Agroecology, held in Budapest from the 24-25th of November. The symposium was hosted by the Government of Hungary with support from the Government of France. Read More [8] "SPARKS HAVE TURNED INTO RAGING FIRES" KARNATAKA FARMERS PROTEST ------------------------- Farmers had been on a campaign trail for a month prior, mobilizing cities and villages with a three-point demand: complete waiver of loans of farmers, farm workers and women's self-help groups; scientific compensation for crop losses; implementation of a comprehensive drought management plan. Read More [9] COP 22 : OUR LAND IS WORTH MORE THAN CARBON ------------------------- In its haste, COP 22, being called the "action COP" or the "agriculture COP", is in danger of adopting various misguided solutions for agriculture. Read the Civil Society Statement [10] "CUANDO SERA" A MUSIC VIDEO DEDICATED TO FOOD SOVEREIGNTY STRUGGLES ------------------------- Colombian-Argentine music group Che Sudaka, which is based in Barcelona has released a new music video "Cuando Sera" as part of their album "Hoy" and has dedicated the song to La Via Campesina's peaceful struggle for food sovereignty and social justice. Read More [11] GLOBAL DIALOGUE ON THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PULSES ------------------------- Elizabeth Mpfou, general coordinator of La Via Campesina and a small holder farmer who also leads the Zimbabwe Small Holder Farmers' Forum (ZIMSOFF), made a presentation at the Global Dialogue held in Rome as part of the International Year of Pulses (IYP) on the 23rd of November 2016. She is also the IYP Special Ambassador for Africa region. Read More [12] UPOV must respect farmers' rights: Guy Kastler ------------------------- UPOV must evolve to accept this fair balance between the rights of breeders and the rights of farmers, in the interests of its own survival and, above all, of food security, writes Guy Kastler Read More [13] GLOBAL SOLIDARITY POURING IN FOR KARNATAKA FARMERS DEMANDING LOAN WAIVER ------------------------- After, farmers from the state of Karnataka in India took to a unique protest by auctioning off a big businessman's assets in a symbolic act of resistance, global solidarity is pouring in from farms and universities. Read More [14] COOLING THE PLANET | FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES LEAD THE STRUGGLE Year: 2016 Summary: A new _Hands on the Land_ publication highlights how communities of small scale food producers are increasingly confronted by the grabbing of natural resources and systematic violations of human rights. Download the Publication (English [15]) Also available in Spanish [16] and French [17] [18] The Field Liberation Movement takes action to demand real solutions to climate change, by resorting to a symbolic act of authorizing the felling of a field of genetically engineered poplar trees. Watch Now [19] [20] Two GE poplar trees discuss VIB's false solutions. A video by The Field Liberation Movement following an action in Wetteren on 20th November 2016. Watch Now [21] [22] At the III World Meeting of Popular Movements held in Rome and promoted by Pope Francis, Paul Nicholson of La Via Campesina (EHNE), from the Basque country speaks to FocusPuller [23] explaining the need to build alliances on issues of land, housing and work. Watch Now [24] 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 [1]here. [1] [25] Follow us on twitter [25] [26] Find us on Facebook [26] [27] Subsribe our Vimeo Channel [27] To unsubscribe from the distribution list, questions or comments, write to VIACAMPESINA(a)VIACAMPESINA.ORG WEBSITE: www.viacampesina.org [28] TV: www.tv.viacampesina.org [29] To subscribe to this newsletter - Click Here [30] Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/donations/ [2] http://ttps://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en [3] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/our-conferences-mainmenu-28/5-maputo-… [4] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/women-mainmen… [5] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/-clima… [6] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/-clima… [7] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [8] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/sustainable-p… [9] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/219… [10] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/-clima… [11] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/food-sovereig… [12] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/sustainable-p… [13] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/10-yea… [14] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/news-from-the-regions-mainmenu-29/220… [15] https://viacampesina.org/downloads/pdf/en/Cooling_the_Planet-EN.pdf [16] https://viacampesina.org/downloads/pdf/sp/Cooling_the_Planet-ES.pdf [17] https://viacampesina.org/downloads/pdf/fr/Cooling_the_Planet-FR.pdf [18] https://youtu.be/zFBPcS26sAM [19] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Joke-you-may-cut-these-trees?lang=en [20] https://youtu.be/uX6OPyOQkVQ [21] https://tv.viacampesina.org/Action-No-to-false-climate?lang=en [22] https://youtu.be/i3HPpoF9Spo [23] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO-vTv8pQXQ11bmWnBPEKLA [24] https://tv.viacampesina.org/III-World-Meeting-of-Popular?lang=en [25] http://www.twitter.com/via_campesina [26] https://www.facebook.com/viacampesinaOFFICIAL/ [27] https://vimeo.com/viacampesina [28] http://www.viacampesina.org [29] http://www.tv.viacampesina.org [30] https://mail.viacampesina.org/lists/listinfo/Via-info-en

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Murdering and bombing of Syrian citizens has to cease immediately – a political solution with the Syrian people has to be found
by La Via Campesina 09 Dec '16

09 Dec '16

MURDERING AND BOMBING OF SYRIAN CITIZENS HAS TO CEASE IMMEDIATELY – A POLITICAL SOLUTION WITH THE SYRIAN PEOPLE HAS TO BE FOUND [1] Published on Friday, 09 December 2016 13:30 [2]LA VIA CAMPESINA STATEMENT ON SYRIA SITUATION (Harare, December 8, 2016) The war in Syria goes on, never ending bombardments directly aimed at the civilian population, destroying any social infrastructure including hospitals, food markets and food production. At the moment the regime is on its way to destroy totally East-Aleppo and other cities and regions will follow. Despite the incredible aggression of the Syrian government together with supporting governments and loyal paramilitary groups against the Syrian people, a strong resistance fighting for a political and democratic alternative exists. Syrian peasant and citizens keep on defending themselves, fighting for a self-determined future and demand a political solution of the conflict. They keep on growing food crops under the most adverse circumstances in rural and also in any spaces in the cities. Food that helps them to survive and strengthen their resilience and their independence to resist becoming victim of the Syrian regime's policy of "starve or surrender". La Via Campesina supports these self-organized structures through the 15th Garden, a network of Syrian peasants and activists who risk their lives every day to bring seeds into many areas in Syria so that people can keep on growing their food. This terrible war will not bring any solution to this conflict other than destroying Syria and making millions more flee to other parts of the world. It is crucial that the UN together with other governments not involved in the massacre of the civilian population and the destruction of Syria undertake any effort to stop the bombing and push all parties involved to build a political solution that integrates all the Syrian people at all levels and hereby acknowledge the right for self-determination of the Syrian people. We call upon other social movements and organizations to pressure their governments to undertake any effort to stop this war on the Syrian people and build a political process towards the reconstruction and peace and democracy. Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/human-rights-… [2] https://viacampesina.org/en/images/2014%20Logo.jpg

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Message of Solidarity with Cuba, in their time of national mourning
by La Via Campesina 30 Nov '16

30 Nov '16

MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA, IN THEIR TIME OF NATIONAL MOURNING [1] We the men, women, and youth of La Vía Campesina, salute the people of Cuba during their time of national mourning over the death of Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz, historic leader of the Cuban Revolution and an inspiration for struggles of emancipation of poor people of the world, from imperialism and capital. We would like to express our most heartfelt condolences and solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Asociación Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños (ANAP) who, inspired by Comandante Fidel, have led the fight for food sovereignty and in this way feeding the people and protecting the natural resources. Just a few months ago, during their national congress, the members of ANAP celebrated the anniversary of the Agrarian Reform promulgated by Comandante Fidel 57 years ago. To our brothers and sisters who work on the land: we are united with you in this time of national mourning paying posthumous homage to Comandante Fidel and with ANAP's untiring struggle to achieve food sovereignty through the use of a sustainable agroeconomy, because it is through this work that ANAP continue to keep alive the revolutionary spirit of Comandante Fidel. To the people of Cuba, we restate our commitment to friendship, our appreciation for their example of solidarity with the people of the world as well as our admiration of the irrefutable accomplishments in the construction of a socialist society. ¡Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz! ¡PRESENTE! INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF LA VÍA CAMPESINA Links: ------ [1] https://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/our-conferences-mainmenu-28/5-maputo-…

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