Side-even: Good practices, lessons learned and challenges in the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants

At the occasion of the 50th session of the Human Rights Council, we would like to invite you to the following event:

Good practices, lessons learned and challenges in the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas

Thursday, 30th of June 2022, 18.30 – 20.00

The side-event will be hybrid:

In person: Villa Moynier, Geneva Academy for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Rue de Lausanne 120B, 1202 Genève

Zoom link: https://geneva-academy-ch.zoom.us/j/83997172217

– Moderation: H.E. Ms. Maira Macdonal, Ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia at the UN in Geneva

– H.E. Mr. Marc Bichler, Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg at the UN in Geneva

– H.E. Mr. Mxolisi Nkosi, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of South Africa at the UN in Geneva

– Mr. Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food

– Ms. Morgan Ody, General Coordinator of La Via Campesina

– Ms. Fatouma Seid, Deputy Director of Partnerships and UN Collaboration (PSU), Division of the FAO

– Ms. Naéla Gabr, Expert of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

In December 2018, after 6 years of negotiations and 17 years of awareness raising, advocacy and studies at different levels and with different countries, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP), which codifies in the framework of international human rights law, in a single multilateral instrument, the specific rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas.

The adoption of UNDROP is a historic step towards the promotion and protection of the human rights of peasant communities and other people living in rural areas, as these vulnerable groups are main victims of poverty, hunger, discrimination, inequality, climate change, lack of means of production and in many countries the systematic violations of their human rights continue. An absolutely paradoxical situation, since it is widely recognized that these populations are key actors in the struggle for the protection of biodiversity and the environment in harmony with Mother Earth, the reduction of hunger, the right to healthy and nutritious food and food sovereignty, as well as the promotion of cultural heritage through traditional methods of agriculture, fishing, livestock and forestry.

Following the adoption of the UNDROP, we are now entering the implementation phase of this instrument, both at the local/national and international levels. This phase requires the development of a process of learning, ownership and promotion based on the Declaration. In other words, it is essential that the Declaration comes to life, that peasants appropriate and identify with its content in their daily work, and that States take ownership of it and promote its implementation at all levels, in order to protect the fundamental rights of peasant communities.

Organizers: Permanent Mission of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Permanent Mission of South Africa, Permanent Mission of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, La Via Campesina, CETIM, FIAN International, Geneva Academy of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, South Center, OHCHR

With the support of: Friends of the UNDROP Switzerland

Translation into English and Spanish

Bolivian salteñas and beverages will be provided at the end of the event

See the flyer of the event