Are European taxpayers funding land grabs and forest destruction? by Mark Curtis | 14 Sep 2017 Belgium | Canada | Congo, the Democratic Republic of the | Finland | France | Germany | Netherlands | Norway | Tanzania | Uganda | United Kingdom | land grabbing The central aim of European Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) is to foster growth and reduce poverty. Yet in Africa, evidence is mounting that they have funded ‘forestry’ projects which have caused deforestation, possible land grabs, and undermined communities’ livelihoods. The central aim of European Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) is to foster growth and reduce poverty. Yet in Africa, evidence is mounting that they have funded ‘forestry’ projects which have caused deforestation, possible land grabs, and undermined communities’ livelihoods.
Caravana Matopiba uncovers alarming human and environmental costs of agribusiness by FIAN et al. | 12 Sep 2017 Brazil | land grabbing During its visits, the delegation observed high levels of agrochemical pollution, diminishing natural resources, land grabbing, as well as significant impact on the health of traditional communities, resulting from increasing soy plantations. During its visits, the delegation observed high levels of agrochemical pollution, diminishing natural resources, land grabbing, as well as significant impact on the health of traditional communities, resulting from increasing soy plantations.
Communities affected by Hengfu sugar plantation in Cambodia submit petition to Chinese Embassy by Civil society organisations | 7 Sep 2017 Cambodia | land grabbing On 30 August 2017, 40 people brought a petition to the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh calling for the withdrawal of a group of Chinese agribusiness companies from Preah Vihear province in northern Cambodia. The companies, five subsidiaries of the Chinese company Hengfu, are accused of grabbing land in 2011 from tens of thousands of families and their communities, destroying local ecosystems and putting farmers’ livelihoods in jeopardy. On 30 August 2017, 40 people brought a petition to the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh calling for the withdrawal of a group of Chinese agribusiness companies from Preah Vihear province in northern Cambodia. The companies, five subsidiaries of the Chinese company Hengfu, are accused of grabbing land in 2011 from tens of thousands of families and their communities, destroying local ecosystems and putting farmers’ livelihoods in jeopardy.
Port Loko Declaration: Women say “We want our lands back!” by Civil society organisations | 4 Sep 2017 Sierra Leone | land grabbing We, Women want our land and forests back so that we can have an agriculture that feeds us. We want a change that allows us to provide livelihoods that allow for good, healthy lives in dignity for our communities. We, Women want our land and forests back so that we can have an agriculture that feeds us. We want a change that allows us to provide livelihoods that allow for good, healthy lives in dignity for our communities.
International mission to measure human rights impact of land grabbing kicks off by FIAN et al. | 4 Sep 2017 Brazil | land grabbing An international delegation will travel across the Brazilian region of MATOPIBA to document the social, economic, environmental and human rights impact of large-scale land acquisitions. An international delegation will travel across the Brazilian region of MATOPIBA to document the social, economic, environmental and human rights impact of large-scale land acquisitions.
Uphold Edo State government revocation order on Okomu oil palm company Plc by Environmental Rights Action (ERA) | 28 Jul 2017 Nigeria | land grabbing Support our petition as we internationalize our struggles against deforestation and corporate land grabs for large-scale oil palm plantation business. Support our petition as we internationalize our struggles against deforestation and corporate land grabs for large-scale oil palm plantation business.
Canadian pension funds grab farmland in Brazil by The Monitor | 21 Jul 2017 Brazil | Canada | land grabbing Campaign seeks divestment from speculative land-grabbing at home and abroad. Campaign seeks divestment from speculative land-grabbing at home and abroad.
Women and traditional oil palm: a struggle for life by World Rainforest Movement | 17 May 2017 Cameroon | land grabbing | food sovereignty Marie Crescence Ngobo coordinates the Sustainable Development Actors Network in Cameroon (RADD, by its French acronym). RADD works with women on economic and social issues, organising activities that help women regain their identity and autonomy, in order to improve their families’ living conditions. Marie Crescence Ngobo coordinates the Sustainable Development Actors Network in Cameroon (RADD, by its French acronym). RADD works with women on economic and social issues, organising activities that help women regain their identity and autonomy, in order to improve their families’ living conditions.
Action on Day of the Landless 2017 by APC | 28 Mar 2017 land grabbing | corporations The militant tradition of commemorating the “Day of the Landless” led by the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) and its network continues this year on March 29 with the theme “Fight for Land! Fight for Life! Intensify the struggle against global land grabbing!” The militant tradition of commemorating the “Day of the Landless” led by the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) and its network continues this year on March 29 with the theme “Fight for Land! Fight for Life! Intensify the struggle against global land grabbing!”
What is happening to our forests? Conference report and presentations by Focus on the Global South | 23 Jan 2017 India | Philippines | land grabbing | seeds & biodiversity | Thailand From 21-25 November 2016, about 50 people, involved in struggles to defend the territories, forests and livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, came together in Thailand for a field visit to the Northeast of the country, followed by a 3-days meeting in Bangkok. Besides a delegation from Thailand, other participants came from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and India. The aims of the gathering, which focused on the central question of What´s happening to our forests?, included promoting exchange and dialogue on old and new threats and challenges faced by communities in the different countries. From 21-25 November 2016, about 50 people, involved in struggles to defend the territories, forests and livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, came together in Thailand for a field visit to the Northeast of the country, followed by a 3-days meeting in Bangkok. Besides a delegation from Thailand, other participants came from Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and India. The aims of the gathering, which focused on the central question of What´s happening to our forests?, included promoting exchange and dialogue on old and new threats and challenges faced by communities in the different countries.
Hacking, wiretaps, slavery and money laundering: how agents and indigenous people busted a massive Bad Ag gang in Brazil by Illegal Deforestation Monitor | 3 Jan 2017 Brazil | land grabbing Until his arrest earlier this year, one of the biggest forest destroyers in the history of the Amazon oversaw a large and sophisticated criminal network from his base in Sao Paulo’s upper class neighbourhood of Jardins. Wiretaps and field investigations by federal agents have exposed a sprawling operation making millions from agriculture, facilitated by hacking, satellite analysis and slave labour. This piece draws extensively on a profile of the case in Brazilian non-profit environmental news site ((o))eco. Until his arrest earlier this year, one of the biggest forest destroyers in the history of the Amazon oversaw a large and sophisticated criminal network from his base in Sao Paulo’s upper class neighbourhood of Jardins. Wiretaps and field investigations by federal agents have exposed a sprawling operation making millions from agriculture, facilitated by hacking, satellite analysis and slave labour. This piece draws extensively on a profile of the case in Brazilian non-profit environmental news site ((o))eco.
Ethiopia: What is there to hide in the Omo Valley? by ASO and Re:Common | 23 Nov 2016 Ethiopia | land grabbing This report is both a travel story and analysis of the “Italian system” in Ethiopia. It is also an exploration of increased repression carried out by the Addis Ababa government against any form of dissent, and the impact of its development policies, which are interwoven with infrastructure projects often characterised by strong Italian interests. Such is the case of dams in the Omo Valley, a place where we were prevented to go. This report is both a travel story and analysis of the “Italian system” in Ethiopia. It is also an exploration of increased repression carried out by the Addis Ababa government against any form of dissent, and the impact of its development policies, which are interwoven with infrastructure projects often characterised by strong Italian interests. Such is the case of dams in the Omo Valley, a place where we were prevented to go.
Voices from the Global Convergence of Land and Water Struggles by Global Convergence of Land and Water Struggles | 6 Nov 2016 land grabbing | climate crisis During a public event held in Paris in December 2015 at the time of the COP21, representatives of frontline communities discussed and denounced the false solutions to the climate crisis, and promoted the real solutions that are rooted in peoples’ knowledge and experiences. They stressed how converging provides hope, opportunities and solidarity and, importantly, advances the struggle for systemic change. The purpose of this report is to amplify the voices of frontline communities and to share the political messages of the 16 social movement leaders – who spoke at the meeting – with the masses who form the base of social movements all over the world. The report is meant to trigger deepened political consciousness and to support mass based movements in their resistance against the privatization agendas promoted by the political and economic elites. During a public event held in Paris in December 2015 at the time of the COP21, representatives of frontline communities discussed and denounced the false solutions to the climate crisis, and promoted the real solutions that are rooted in peoples’ knowledge and experiences. They stressed how converging provides hope, opportunities and solidarity and, importantly, advances the struggle for systemic change. The purpose of this report is to amplify the voices of frontline communities and to share the political messages of the 16 social movement leaders – who spoke at the meeting – with the masses who form the base of social movements all over the world. The report is meant to trigger deepened political consciousness and to support mass based movements in their resistance against the privatization agendas promoted by the political and economic elites.
UN recognizes meat production’s impact on deforestation and land grabbing by UN | 23 Oct 2016 land grabbing | climate crisis The United Nations Committee on Food Security (CFS), adopted a set of recommendations at its annual meeting in Rome this week that emphasize the need to address the impacts of unsustainable meat and dairy production on deforestation, land grabbing and food security. The United Nations Committee on Food Security (CFS), adopted a set of recommendations at its annual meeting in Rome this week that emphasize the need to address the impacts of unsustainable meat and dairy production on deforestation, land grabbing and food security.
A high price: mounting debt means tragedy for tens of thousands of farmers in Vietnam by Duong Dinh Tuong, Nongnghiep | 17 Oct 2016 Viet Nam | land grabbing | food sovereignty Behind the vast yellow maize hills spreading out onto the horizon of Son La province in northwestern Vietnam lies tragedy for tens of thousands of small farmers. Once self-sufficient rice producers, the ethnic minority Xinh Mun people were convinced to trade in their rice crop for hybrid maize, a shift that created growing debt and deep sadness as many lost their lands as a result. Behind the vast yellow maize hills spreading out onto the horizon of Son La province in northwestern Vietnam lies tragedy for tens of thousands of small farmers. Once self-sufficient rice producers, the ethnic minority Xinh Mun people were convinced to trade in their rice crop for hybrid maize, a shift that created growing debt and deep sadness as many lost their lands as a result.