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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On this March 30th, Land Day for Palestine, we issue an unequivocal demand for the immediate cessation of the Israeli-led genocide against the Palestinian people. As we mark the 48th anniversary of Eternal Land Day, we stand in solemn remembrance amid the ongoing, brutal campaign of annihilation carried out by Israeli occupation forces.
