At the global level, there are currently some 1.2 billion peasants and together with their families they represent one third of humanity. In absolute terms, there are more peasants today than ever before in history.
Peasants and other rural workers are key to food sovereignty and the realization of the right to food, in particular in developing countries where they provide up to 80% of the food consumed at the local level.
Peasants play a key role in the fight against climate change and the conservation of biodiversity
Yet peasants and other people working in rural areas are among the most vulnerable and discriminated-against group. They are victims of multiple violations of their human rights and suffer disproportionately from hunger and poverty. 80% of those victims of hunger in the world live and work in rural areas.
The CETIM works for several years in favor of the rights of peasants. lt provides its support to organizations representing peasants and other rural workers in the Global South for the access to the UN human rights protection mechanisms. The CETIM is also strongly involved to their sides in the campaign for the adoption of a United Nations Declaration on the rights of peasants and oher people working in rural areas, offering its support so that they are able to participate in the negotiations and present their proposals.
A Declaration on the Rights of Peasants
On 17 December 2018, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Others Working in Rural Areas. Alongside La Via Campesina, CETIM was strongly involved in the process that led to the adoption of this indispensable tool. In particular, it offered its support to peasants to enable them to participate in the negotiations and to make their proposals heard.
The adoption of the Declaration is a historic moment. It is the result of a 17-year struggle for the recognition of the rights of this particularly vulnerable population. If respected and implemented, this instrument will be useful, not only for peasants, but for humanity as a whole.
One year after the adoption of this indispensable tool, a joint declaration was signed by nine special rapporteurs and experts and four members of the UN treaty bodies. This document stresses that farmers must participate “in all decision-making processes that affect their lives, lands, resources and livelihoods” and repeatedly urges states to play a key role in implementing the Declaration.
In October 2023, the United Nations Human Rights Council, with an overwhelming majority of Member States in favour, took another historic step. It voted in favour of Resolution 54/9 to create a follow-up mechanism to the Declaration. A Working Group of experts is now responsible for promoting and implementing the Declaration.
Download for free the e-book edited by CETIM “The UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants“
Protect Peasants’ Rights Campaign
Access to justice for peasants
Training sheets on peasants’ rights
The Europe-Third World Center (CETIM) has, on several occasions1, denounced the impasse in which successive governments in power in Israel have placed the resolution of the conflict as well as the incapacity of the international community to make Israel respect international law, international human rights law and the numerous resolutions adopted by the various United […]
Continue reading
Mr. Chairman, The Woman peasant has a long tradition of harvesting, selecting and propagating varieties of seed for both nutritional and medical purposes. They are the principle guardians of the world’s genetic resources and biodiversity. The traditional knowledge should be honored and respected and the skills passed on to new generations. The future of the […]
Continue reading
Mr. Chairman, The Europe – Third World Centre (CETIM) and the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), in collaboration with VIA CAMPESINA, would like to draw the attention of the Human Rights Commission on the opening of the agricultural markets and their consequences for the peasants of the South. Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Delegates, La Via […]
Continue reading
1. The Colombia Plan Presented as a fight against drug trafficking and officially dubbed “a plan for peace, prosperity and the strengthening of the state”, the Colombia Plan is in reality a military operation whose objectives are the opposite of those publicly stated. The plan was to all intents and purposes initiated by Washington, developed […]
Continue reading
The Europe-Third World Centre (CETIM) wishes to inform the Sub-Commission of its concerns in regard to the alarming human rights situation in Brazil, particularly for rural inhabitants. Brazil is a country of 165 million inhabitants, as such representing the fifth largest population in the world and the fifth largest national territory. Although tremendously rich in […]
Continue reading
« Previous
1
…
32
33
34
35
36
Next »