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 17^th. 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.