Farmers and farm workers mobilize for the
implementation of UN declaration on the rights of peasant and rural working
class people on International Day of peasants’ struggle.
On 17 April 2019
In memory of the massacre of 19 Brazilian landless peasants
Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) and National Women Farmers
and Workers association (NWFA) observed International Day of Peasant’s Struggle on
April 17th. This year they are commutating the day just after the adoption
of the United Nation Declaration on the
Rights of Peasants and other People Working in Rural Areas by United
Nations dated 17 December, 2018. Hundreds of Farmers, farm workers, peasant women
attended the demonstration at Gazipur. BAFLF general Secretary presided over
the meeting while NWFA member Sharmin Akter conducted the programme. Among
other Golam Sorowor, MD Mamun Hossen, Md Ranju Khan of BAFLF and Nurjahan
Begum, Sharmin Sultana of NWFA spoke at the mobilization. From that demonstration the following demands
were placeed for the implementation of UN declaration on Peasants’ right:
1. The ownership of
land is to be determined on the basis of the principal those who cultivate land
are owners of that land.
2. Recognition of
Peasants women as farmers and ensure equal rights and control over land and
other resources.
3. Introduction and
cultivation of GMO crops including GE Golden Rice and BT Brinjal to be stopped.
4. To resist
corporate aggression the use and import of GMO seeds, chemical pesticides
should be banned. Incentive to be given to local farmers to protect local seeds
and promote farmers’ control over seeds and territories.
5. Ensuring food
sovereignty rights of people through agrarian reform and social justice.
6. Govt. Must enhance the capacities of public sector
in seeds productions and distribution and more allocation for BADC must be
ensured.
