Open-ended intergovernmental working group on a United Nations declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas

First published on 05/19/2017, and last updated on 02/20/2018

This meeting gathered La Via Campesina and other organizations or movements of pastoralists, nomads and fishermen. Meetings with the official delegates of the Intergovernmental Group on a United Nations declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas began on May 15, 2017 and culminated on May 19th.  The presence and active participation of the civil society was crucial throughout. Jorge Varela Márquez, ICCA Consortium Honorary member, highlighted the interest of fisher peoples in the early adoption of the Declaration. A demonstration was held in front of the United Nations, including personal interviews with the official delegates of several countries in an effort to garner their support for the Declaration.

The “Report of the open-ended inter-governmental working group on a United Nations declaration on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas” can be found here in several languages.

While the draft declaration contains great text, the role of peasant communities — the local, rural communities that made history throughout the world — does not seem to be sufficiently highlighted.  Not calling attention on the collective rights to land, water and natural resources (the forests, the wetlands, the fisheries, the pasture) could be an important omission, as collective rights are crucial for peasants to exist in nature, and to thrive.

The UN draft declaration can be downloaded HERE.