Edition: April 2024
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La Via Campesina's 'PEASANT STRUGGLES' brings to you a monthly synthesis of articles and videos from our website and multimedia library.
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#17April: BUILD SOLIDARITY! ENOUGH WITH THE GENOCIDE, EVICTIONS AND VIOLENCE!

17 April is the International Day of Peasant Struggles. A moment when we, La Via Campesina, commemorate the 28th anniversary of the El Dorado de Carajás Massacre in Brazil and denounce the impunity with which peasant and indigenous people are harassed, attacked and criminalized around the world. Every year, our movement dedicates this day to mobilize in support of the ongoing struggles of peasants, rural communities, indigenous groups, pastoralists, fisherfolk, migrants, and rural workers.

As a global peasant movement, we persistently denounce and resist various forms of oppression—genocides, wars, hunger, evictions, persecution, criminalization, and systemic violence—within a geopolitical landscape dominated by the advancing forces of imperialism, neocolonialism, and exploitative capitalism. Our efforts, that also found a full consensus at the recetly concluded 8th International Conference, encompass a diverse set of initiatives, including the UN Working Group to monitor the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, the efforts to broaden the global movement for Food Sovereignty by actively contributing towards the Nyéléni Global Forum for Food Sovereignty in 2025, a host of global solidarity campaigns, and our sustained advocacy for an alternative trade framework based on Food Sovereignty. 

 

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THE ELDORADO DO CARAJÁS MASSACRE: 28 YEARS OF IMPUNITY
Little has changed in Brazil's context of rural violence. According to a report called Conflicts Booklet (Caderno de Conflitos), published by the Pastoral Land Commission (Comissão Pastoral da Terra), 973 rural conflicts occurred in the first half of 2023, most of which (791) were struggles for land. 
ESAFF UGANDA STANDS IN SOLIDARITY ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEASANT STRUGGLES
ESAFF Uganda joined the global community in commemorating the International Day of Peasant Struggles, a day that honors the resilience and sacrifices of small-scale farmers worldwide. 
PALESTINE: URGENT GLOBAL ACTION AGAINST THE USE OF STARVATION AS GENOCIDE IN GAZA
La Via Campesina and Union of Agricultural Work Committees called upon the people of the world to join global actions in solidarity with Palestine on the 13th of April – the Global Mobilisation Day. Many actions were held including Global Fasting- a symbolic action to encourage all of us to pause and reflect on what is happening in Gaza.
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW WORKING GROUP ON PEASANTS' RIGHTS (UNDROP)
On the 5th of April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council officially appointed the five experts to the working group; a significant milestone in advancing the implementation of the rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas. 

 

THE PROTRACTED STRUGGLE FOR LAND RIGHTS AND AGRARIAN REFORM IN INDRAMAYU, INDONESIA
In 1979, the state-owned sugar company PG Rajawali II earmarked the land for sugarcane plantations, igniting a prolonged dispute between peasant families and the corporation. Some were forcefully evicted, others reluctantly entered partnerships with the sugar company, while a resilient few refused to yield. 
MOZAMBIQUE: ZAMBEZIA PROVINCIAL UNION OF PEASANTS FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS
The peasants in Mozambique commemorated the International Day of Peasant Struggles, the 17th of April, by carrying out various activities to highlight their struggles. UPC-Z has been training advocacy agents and the community leaders in conflict management as a way to strengthen conflict measurement skills within their communities.
 
KOREA: PEASANT MOVEMENTS HOLD DIALOGUE WITH EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS ON FARMERS' PROTESTS
European farmer protests persist, drawing global attention. While marking the International Day of Peasant Struggles, Korean farmers held a cross-continental dialogue titled 'Why are European Farmers Protesting?' to study the context of this protest that resonates with the lived realities of Korean peasants.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: PEASANTS DENOUNCE EVICTIONS IN EL SEIBO AND MONTE GRANDE
LVC members in the country joined the struggle of the peasants of El Seibo who were dispossessed by landowners with the support of government officials in that area. They also stood with the peasants of Monte Grande, involuntarily evicted from their lands due to the construction of the dam.
 
TUNISIA: MILLION RURAL WOMEN STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE LAND STRUGGLES IN SILIANA
In 2021, peasants in Siliana, notably in Henshir Laqasba, contested land speculation. A prolonged sit-in by workers and farmers led to arrests. Among nine peasants facing trial is also the peasant leader of the 'Million Rural Women and Landless Association'. The trial continues since 2021.
HAITI: ANOTHER FOREIGN INTERVENTION WILL NOT SOLVE THE CRISIS. 
The new transition plan proposed by CARICOM, seemingly endorsed by the Core Group and involving PHTK stakeholders, is unlikely to resolve the crisis. Similar past interventions introduced leadership and policies supposedly to alleviate the crisis but, only made it worse. A solution from its people is already there.
 
READ ALL ARTICLES FROM #17April2024
GLOBAL ACTIONS - FULL GALLERY
 
FEATURED PUBLICATION
This edition of the Nyéléni newsletter, prepared by FIAN and AFSA, explores how the 'corporate diet' based on UPP is being imposed in different regions of the world and what this means for people's health and food sovereignty. It further provides examples of resistance, from the recovery of traditional crops to the struggle for effective regulatory measures. What is clear is that to reclaim sovereignty over our plates we must look beyond our plates and reshape the food system as a whole. Download the newsletter
FEATURED VIDEOS
 
#17April #LaViaCampesina reaffirms its solidarity and steadfast opposition to all violations of human rights and peasants' rights. Our ongoing struggle aims to combat neocolonialism, patriarchy, and capitalism. We are firmly committed to a just transition towards peasant agroecology, considering it as a crucial pillar in the pursuit of climate justice. These principles lie at the heart of our global fight for Food Sovereignty.
FEATURED PODCASTS
 
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