Good Practices, Lessons Learned and Challenges in the Implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants

Event

Rajeev Rajagopalan

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 (UN) General Assembly adopted the UN 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.

This event – co-organized with the Permanent Missions of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, South Africa, Switzerland and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the UN in Geneva; the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; La Via Campesina; CETIM; FIAN International; and the South Center – will discuss good practices, lessons learned and challenges in the implementation of UNDROP.

Moderation

• Maira Macdonal, Ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia at the UN

Panelists

• Marc Bichler, Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg at the UN
• Mxolisi Nkosi, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of South Africa at the UN
• Michael Fakhri, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food
• Morgan Ody, General Coordinator, La Via Campesina
• Naéla Gabr, Member, UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
• Representative of the FAO (TBC)

Translation

English and Spanish.

Refreshements

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