Source: Global Research
Over the past few days, Feronia Inc., a Canadian-based company majority-owned by European and US development banks, has been pressuring local communities to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would endorse the company’s continued operation and expansion of oil palm plantations within their territories.
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
Author: Beh Lih Yi
JAKARTA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Two men were charged in a Malaysian court on Friday over the killing of an indigenous land rights defender, in a case which has cast a spotlight on tribespeople's decades-long struggle for recognition.
Source: MediaMax
Author: Charles Muasya
For four hours, Kitui women, both old and young, backed by a few men, braved the scorching sun as they scaled to the top of Ulonzo hills, the highest mountain in the county to compel authorities to give them equal land ownership rights with men.
Secure tenure rights and control over land for women and men farmers are key to boosting smallholder productivity, rural development and food security. However, in many parts of the world, men and women have inadequate access to secure property rights over land. Women are particularly disadvantaged: even though they constitute on average 43 percent of the agricultural labour force in developing countries, women’s ownership of agricultural land remains significantly lower than that of men.
When finalizing the New Urban Agenda, United Nations Member States should address land as a key focus area and give attention to all types of human settlements: urban, peri-urban and rural, rich and poor. Members States should confirm and build on existing international instruments that promote the following: secure tenure for all, the public control of land use, the generation of land-based revenue to benefit everyone, and responsible land governance.
The New Urban Agenda (NUA) is about people. People need a place to live in dignity and a place means land; land for housing, working, education, commercial activities, leisure, transport etc.
Today’s high population growth puts increasing pressure on land, which in turn becomes increasingly scarce. We are at a turning point! The use of and access to land need to be managed with care and responsibility in order to harness the transformative potential of the NUA, in particular in situations where cities need to grow.
The New Urban Agenda (NUA) is about people. People need a place to live in dignity and a place means land; land for housing, working, education, commercial activities, leisure, transport etc.
Today’s high population growth puts increasing pressure on land, which in turn becomes increasingly scarce. We are at a turning point! The use of and access to land need to be managed with care and responsibility in order to harness the transformative potential of the NUA, in particular in situations where cities need to grow.
Date: 20 July 2016
Source: INQUIRER.net
A European Union-backed project aimed at enhancing the protection of rights defenders working on land and environmental issues was launched on Wednesday.
By: Kizito Makoye
Date: 21 July 2016
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
In Tanzania, land rights are enshrined in the Land Act and the Village Land Act, both of 1999, which grant women equal rights to access, own and control land as any man.
However, the reality on the ground for women is much harder because custom dictates that they can only own land through their husbands or male relatives.
By: Andrew Mambondiyani
Date: 20 July 2016
Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
The worst drought to hit Zimbabwe in two decades has left many rural areas in the grip of hunger.
The source of insecurity for both farmers and banks in Zimbabwe lies with section 72 of the 2013 constitution, which says the state can acquire land without prior notice.