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.
Morocco: Peasant Union Opposes Land Privatization, Calls for UNDROP-aligned Policies
26 April 2024
On April 17th, the National Federation of the Agricultural Sector commemorated the International Day of Peasant Struggle, highlighting global and national peasant resistance for social justice. It called for advocating for policies ensuring food sovereignty, environmental justice, and peasants’ rights.
Haiti: We continue to fight and work tirelessly for Haiti to regain its food and national sovereignty
25 April 2024
LVC Haiti calls for a transitional government to replace the criminal Ariel regime and that political and financial measures be taken to restore security as quickly as possible in the country. And that peasants be provided with the means to rebuild food sovereignty and to lead a peaceful life.
Haiti: Another foreign intervention will not solve the crisis. The country needs a solution coming from its people
25 April 2024
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.
El Salvador: Peasant movements call for UNDROP-based policies to check rising rural poverty
23 April 2024
El Salvador has experienced a recession in agriculture, marked by a rise in rural poverty from 22.8% to 26.6% (2019-2022) in total poverty, and from 4.5% to 8.6% in extreme poverty. Additionally, maize cultivation decreased by at least 10,000 hectares between 2019 and 2022.
The Eldorado do Carajás Massacre: 28 years of impunity
23 April 2024
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. This represents an 8% increase in comparison to the same period in 2022.
Korea: Peasant Movements hold dialogue with European Counterparts on Farmers’ Protests
19 April 2024
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.
EU Elections: ECVC calls for fairer prices, market regulations and better working conditions
18 April 2024
Europe today has around 9 million farms, down from 15 million in 2003, and the average age of farmers is 57 years old. They struggle to access seeds, land, water and the market. Public policies prioritise market interests and corporate profits over human rights and feeding the population.
Dominican Republic: Peasants denounce evictions in El Seibo and Monte Grande
18 April 2024
“We join the struggle of the peasants of El Seibo who were dispossessed by landowners with the support of government officials in that area. We stand with the peasants of Monte Grande, involuntarily evicted from their lands due to the construction of the dam…”
International Day of Peasant Struggles: Build Solidarity! Enough with the genocide, evictions and violence!
17 April 2024
17 April 2024 – Today 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.
Mozambique: Zambezia Provincial Union of Peasants fighting for their rights
17 April 2024
The peasants in Mozambique commemorated the International Day of Peasant Struggles, the 17th of April, by carrying out various activities to highlight their struggles. In this month of peasant 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.
ESAFF Uganda Stands in Solidarity on the International Day of Peasant Struggles
17 April 2024
ESAFF Uganda proudly joins the global community in commemorating the International Day of Peasant Struggles, a day that honors the resilience and sacrifices of small-scale farmers worldwide. On this significant day, ESAFF Uganda stands in unwavering solidarity with all those currently facing violent repression and unjust criminalization of their struggles.
Video | The protracted struggle for land rights and agrarian reform in Indramayu, Indonesia
16 April 2024
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.
Nyéléni Newsletter: Ultra-processed food, a “corporate diet”
15 April 2024
Driven by an expansion of the industrial food system, including global sourcing and retail structures, and corporate concentration and power within this system, Ultra Processed Food are replacing fresh and minimally processed foods and home-cooked meals in our diets. Dietary patterns are becoming increasingly homogenized and culinary traditions are disappearing.
The anti-colonial struggle for the self-determination of the Haitian people has reached the United Nations
12 April 2024
In Haiti, the anti-colonial struggle remains intertwined with geopolitics. Facing existential challenges, Haitians seek emancipation and sovereignty. International solidarity is vital to counter dominant imperialist forces hindering true independence.
Spain: Only 3 out of 10 Euros from CAP go to Land Managed by Women
12 April 2024
Data from FEGA shows women-owned farms receive disproportionately less CAP aid than men, with only 27.5% of direct aid and 26.34% of Rural Development aid. Women farmers face marginalization due to smaller sizes and ineligible production.
Thailand’s anti-dam struggle, role of peasant women in the fight for dignity and livelihoods | Interview
10 April 2024
“The latest case, the Pong Khunpet Dam, is an example of how even though the dam construction is complete, the people refuse to move out because the government did not provide them with new land. The dam is not working completely, but they opened the water gate a little, which is causing flooding in the community.”
UN Human Rights Council appoints new Working Group on Peasants’ Rights (UNDROP)
8 April 2024
The 5th of April 2024, the UN Human Rights Council officially appointed the five experts. This marks 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. This achievement is important to rural organizations advocating for their rights.
Palestine: Urgent Global Action against the Use of Starvation as Genocide in GAZA
5 April 2024
La Via Campesina and Union of Agricultural Work Committees call 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 are planned including Global Fasting- a symbolic action to encourage all of us to pause and reflect on what is happening in Gaza.
2024 | March Newswrap: Updates from Member Organizations Worldwide
4 April 2024
March witnessed global mobilization for International Working Women’s Day, emphasizing the vital roles of peasant and indigenous women in sustaining communities and feeding the world. From Brazil to Australia, women rallied against injustice, violence, and climate crises, demanding rights, land access, and recognition for their contributions to food sovereignty and social justice.