Connect with us

DEFENDING LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

UN food summit will be ‘elitist’ and ‘pro-corporate’, says special rapporteur

Published

on

A farmer harvesting cowpeas in Moyale, Kenya in July. Small-scale rural farmers produce a third of the world’s food.

Michael Fakhri says Thursday’s meeting will not be promised ‘people’s summit’ on tackling world’s nutrition crisis

The UN global food summit is “elitist and regressive” and has failed in its goal of being a “people’s summit”, according to the special rapporteur on food rights.

As world leaders prepare to attend the virtual event on Thursday, which aims to examine ways to transform global food systems to be more sustainable, Michael Fakhri said it risked leaving behind the very people critical for its success. In an interview with the Guardian, Fakhri said neither the worsening impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the right to food, nor fundamental questions of inequality, accountability and governance were being properly addressed by the meeting.

“The summit is being led by scientists and research institutes who are pro-corporate sector,” Fakhri said. “People say, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt, let’s see if it is the ‘people’s summit’ it is claiming to be.”

“But they have failed in what they had set out to do. It is not the people’s summit. It is elitist.

“In the day-to-day operations of the summit, corporations do not have a role,” said Fakhri. “But the leadership picked comes from organisations that believe corporations are part of the solution.”

Called by the UN secretary general, António Guterres, the meeting was welcomed for recognising that farming has been largely ignored in climate talks. But its progress has been mired in controversy, as arguments continue over the causes of growing hunger and diet-related disease and whether the event is biased in favour of hi-tech intensive farming.

Agnes Kalibata
Agnes Kalibata opening a pre-summit meeting in Rome in July. 

Guterres’ choice of Agnes Kalibata, the former Rwandan minister for agriculture, to lead the summit was met with protests last year, given her role as president of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra), which has been accused of promoting damaging, business-focused practices.

In March, the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism, a group of more than 500 civil society groups with at least 300 million members, said it would boycott the summit and set up a parallel meeting. In a separate initiative, 148 grassroots groups from 28 countries, which make up the People’s Coalition on Food Security, urged the UN to sever the “strategic partnership” with the World Economic Forum, the organisation that hosts the annual Davos economic summit for the global elite.

Kalibata responded to criticisms at the time saying: “The entire purpose of the summit is to embrace not only the shared interests of all stakeholders but also – importantly – the areas of divergence on how we go about addressing the harsh reality humanity faces. If we are to build more inclusive food systems, we must be prepared to have inclusive debate.”

Fakhri said: “They claim to be listening to people. They invited me to provide human rights advice. But I haven’t seen any substantive response to my criticism.

“What I witnessed was a summit that was called for before the pandemic and continued as if there was no pandemic. What we are going to see is a summit whose value is a snapshot of all the problems we had before the pandemic. But the problem has got worse.”

In 2020 the number of people without access to adequate food rose by 320 million to 2.4 billion – nearly a third of the world’s population, according to Fakhri’s interim report on the right to food. The increase is equivalent to the previous five years combined.

The boycott of the event by organisations representing millions of people highlighted how “regressive the summit is in terms of human rights”, he said. “This is the first regressive move in the summit’s 60-year history.”

UN rapporteur Michael Fakhri on video call
UN rapporteur Michael Fakhri says questions of inequality and governance were not being properly addressed by the summit.

Fakhri said the summit’s multilateral approach, which he claims is driven by the private sector, has not provided a meaningful space for communities and civil society to participate, with the risk of “leaving behind the very population critical for the summit’s success”.

He wrote to Kalibata in January, saying the global food crisis was “chronic, urgent and set to intensify” but that the summit appeared focused on science and technology, money and markets. It failed to address “fundamental questions of inequality, accountability and governance”, he said.

Fakhri said that “everyone is in agreement” that, with famine and food insecurity on the rise, food systems are not sustainable, but the summit is not dealing with the “power balance” many believe is responsible.

“The summit doesn’t want to answer those questions or deal with corporate power,” he said.

The most inclusive space, that of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), has been “marginalised”, he said, along with human rights. The CFS was formed in 2009 to give farmers and communities an equal say with big businesses.

Farmers and others have been demanding a food system transformation rooted in food sovereignty and agroecology for a decade, Fakhri said, but it required a questioning of economic assumptions, protection of human rights and a rebalance of power.

“Food systems are being transformed in real time and people need solutions today, in reality, not this fantasy that has been going on.”

He believes nevertheless, that good things had emerged from the summit, including activating governments to devote their energy to national food policies.

“The second good thing is, despite its shortcomings and problems it has created new relationships. A lot of people committed to human rights were frustrated by the summit process but found new allies and opportunities for solidarity.”

He urged those who felt sidelined to take action and to “hold corporations accountable”. “People who are frustrated, don’t let the summit lead you to despair. Take your ideas, there will be a local food justice group or trade union, go join and participate there.”

Farm workers tending crops in Malawi.
Farm workers tending crops in Malawi. 

In response to Fakhri’s comments, the spokesperson for the secretary general, Stéphane Dujarric, said: “Preparations for the UN food systems summit have been structured to ensure everyone around the world had the opportunity to participate through different platforms, in person and virtually. Several leaders from producers, farmers, women, Indigenous peoples, youth, and civil society engaged in the summit, representing millions of constituents from these groups. It is also important to note that the summit cannot achieve its objectives without engaging with the private sector.”

A child eats fruit delivered by Unicef and fortified with vitamins with his mother in a village in Guatemala last year.
Most infants in 91 countries are malnourished, warns Unicef
Read more

Dujarric said more than 100,000 people have engaged in summit dialogues and more than 2,000 ideas on transforming food systems emerged within six months of public engagement, of which 400 came from farmer and producer groups, Indigenous communities and civil society.

On Tuesday, a report by the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development showed profits for large food companies escalating, while people producing, processing and distributing food were trapped in poverty and hunger. It calls for a “revolution” to place small rural farmers, who produce a third of the planet’s food, at the centre of the world’s food systems.

Original source: THE GUARDIAN

Continue Reading

DEFENDING LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

Latest: Buganda Road Court grants bail to Eleven Ugandan environmental activists after spending over a week on remand.

Published

on

By Witness Radio team.

The committed environmental activists, who steadfastly advocated for halting the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project, have been granted cash bail after a week-long stint in prison.

Court led by Her Worship Jalia Basajjabalaba granted each environmental activist a cash bail of 100,000 Uganda Shillings.

The accused were arrested on February 26, 2025, as they were marching to deliver a petition to the European Union Delegation at their headquarters in Kampala, Uganda.

Upon arrest, they were arraigned before the Buganda Road Magistrates Court and charged with common nuisance, a legal term often used to describe actions that cause inconvenience or harm to the public or a section of the public.

The eleven include Shafic Kalyongo, Joseph Ssengozi, Namuddu Rahima, Gilbert Nayebare, Arafat Mawanda, Hillary Mangeni, Brilliant James Mufere, Desire Ndyamwesiga, and Keisha Ali.

The environmental activists wanted the EU delegation to use its influence over France, one of its member states, to stop supporting Total Energies in the EACOP project. The project has become a source of frustration for the Ugandan and Tanzanian communities.

Total Energy and Other shareholders, including the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, spearheaded the construction of the EACOP, which stretches 1,445 kilometers from Hoima, Uganda, to the port of Tanga, Tanzania.

The protesters emphasized that the pipeline project, which involves extensive land clearing and potential oil spills, will cause significant environmental damage and has already destroyed people’s livelihoods, particularly those dependent on agriculture and fishing in the affected areas.

The activists will appear in court for their April 8, 2025 trial.

 

Continue Reading

DEFENDING LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

Buvuma Palm Oil Tree Growing: more community land rights defenders are getting targeted, facing judicial harassment, and others are jailed on trumped charges.

Published

on

By Witness Radio team.

Majjo, a farming village in Buvuma District, is approximately 180 kilometers from Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Situated near Kitamilo, the district headquarters, the villagers lived in peace until the introduction of oil palm plantations around 2015. Since then, the communities have faced increasing unrest.

The push for the palm oil project expansion has emboldened land spectators and oil palm brokers to seize more land from neighboring communities. Those who resist often face harsh consequences, as they are criminalized by these influential individuals behind the land grab. These individuals, well-connected and shielded from accountability, use their power to suppress any opposition to their land acquisition activities.

At 8 am EAT on Thursday, February 20, 2025, community land rights defender Mr. Ssentongo Livingstone, dressed in a blue shirt, brown trousers, and worn-out black shoes, was heading to the Grade One Magistrate Court in Buvuma for his court hearing. Ssentongo has become a committed advocate for land rights in his community, enduring oppression while continuously mobilizing his fellow villagers to resist the land grabs associated with the expansion of oil palm plantations.

I had hoped to interview him that morning about the growing criminalization of those opposing the palm oil plantations in Buvuma. Still, it was impossible as he was in a hurry to attend court. He said, “I am rushing to court now. I have to attend a court hearing, but I will talk to you later, probably after the court session.” When I asked about the case, he explained that he faced several criminal charges, including trespassing and others. This prompted me to follow him and observe the court proceedings.

The journey to court was short, taking only about twenty minutes on foot. As we walked, Ssentongo angrily remarked, “Is it because I am closer to the court, police, and prison that I am treated this way?” He speculated that the land grabbers might be using this opportunity to repeatedly target and arrest him.

Along the way, I accompanied him and his lawyer in solidarity. Ssentongo was also joined by fellow community members in Majjo and Bukula villages who, like him, are facing similar criminal charges from the Buvuma cartel of land grabbers, though today, it was Ssentongo’s turn. The community members expressed their frustration and disbelief at the repeated targeting of their fellow villagers.

Ssentongo, in court, was represented by his lawyer, Adongo Sarah, from Witness Radio Legal Clinic, a Witness Radio – Uganda department. The hearing started at precisely 9 am. Before his Worship, Johnson Talemwa began with a case concerning carrying out prohibited activities in the forest reserve.  The prosecution alleged that the defender cut, burnt, or destroyed flora in the forest reserve, growing trees and other growing shrubs without a license in the Kirigye local forest reserve.

During the court hearing, the defense was expected to present a witness to support the claim that Ssentongo was a legal occupant of the land, which is being called a forest reserve. However, the defense counsel pointed out discrepancies in the case, noting that the accused was being tried twice by the same court, with the same complainant, for the exact charges.

“My Lord, my client is being tried on the same case twice by the same complainant; this is not right. I pray that your court looks through this matter for further indulgence.” Counsel Adongo revealed.

His Worship, in response, requested Counsel Adongo file her submission with proof that her client was being tried twice on the same case and thereafter adjourned the case to March 13, 2025, for a ruling.

Thinking that we were done with the day’s court appearance, as the case we had come for had been adjourned, we were shocked to see a second file related to Mr. Ssentongo was called. Now, this was a criminal trespass case before Magistrate Court. In this case, Buvuma College School, the complainant, accused Ssentongo of illegally occupying the same land, which the District claimed is part of the Kirigye forest reserve. Then, there is the third case, which involved allegations of illegal activities on forest land, with Ssentongo again accused by Buvuma District of occupying Kirigye Forest land.

Both cases were also adjourned to the same date, March 13, 2025, because the defense lawyer was new to the cases and requested more time to review the files. Counsel was instructed to file her submissions by March 7, allowing the Magistrate time to review the submissions before issuing a ruling on the 13th.

The relentless and exhausting persecution faced by families in Majjo and Bukula villages, Nairambi Sub-county, Buvuma District, is a stark reminder of the injustice prevailing in our society.  Those who resist surrendering their land for oil palm cultivation are the most targeted, and many families face similar hardships, with some having two or three cases heard in one day, all stemming from their fight to protect their land from being seized.

These communities are being persecuted by a powerful alliance of Buvuma District officials, judicial personnel, police officers attached to Buvuma District Police, officials from Buvuma College School, and workers from OPUL. Together, they have criminalized the actions of several community members, all to facilitate the expansion of palm oil plantations.

During arrests, family heads are forcibly taken from their homes by armed police officers, acting on orders from a powerful trio of Buvuma District officials, Buvuma College School, and workers from OPUL. They are then arraigned before court, unscrupulously charged with multiple offenses, and enduring unnecessary suffering.

“We are arrested without reason and a warrant,” said one Kyeswa Steven. “The only explanation we are given is that it’s an order from above. But why are we being punished for defending the land we legally acquired? Why don’t they buy land elsewhere?”

In one of the cases, on November 7 last year, Mr. Ssentongo’s home in Majjo was raided by two armed police officers from Buvuma police station. They handcuffed and arrested him, stating that the order came from Buvuma District Police Commander Bagole Michael and that they were instructed to take him to the district police station.

“They raided my home around 10 am while I was having breakfast. They were armed, told me not to run, and warned me that if I did, they would shoot me. They handcuffed me, placed me on a police motorcycle, and instead took me straight to court,” he recalled.

Upon arrival, Ssentongo claimed he had been immediately charged with prohibited activities in a forest reserve.

“It seemed like they were well-prepared. The file had already been prepared, and the charges were quickly read to me. I was remanded for over a month without a proper hearing.” The defender, now out on bail, recounted,” he added.

Mr. Ssentongo further explains that this powerful alliance has not only criminalized him and his fellow community members but has also resorted to violence, assault, and threats against the families of those leading the resistance to the land grab. His wife stands as a testament. In an interview with Witness Radio, Namisango Juliet says a day after the arrest of his husband, on November 8 at night, goons armed with sticks and dressed in casual clothes attacked and brutally beat her while accusing her and the family of refusing to vacate the contested land.

“On that day, three people invaded our home at around 10 pm. They found me bathing. So, when I attempted to get into my house, they held me, beat me, and threw me to the ground, accusing me of supporting my man in the resistance. They said once I failed to convince him to vacate the land, they would come for my life.” She added.

Another resident, Nsubuga Charles, was ordered to vacate his land after losing a court case. He has been arrested and charged with criminal trespass three times. On January 24, 2025, the court ruled in favor of Buvuma College School, ordering Nsubuga’s eviction and barring him from using or accessing the land despite his legal rights to the property.

Before the ruling, in November 2024, the magistrate had instructed Nsubuga to stop using the land while the case was pending. However, in December 2024, the magistrate sentenced Nsubuga to four months for allegedly disobeying his order. Nsubuga maintains that the magistrate was unfair, stating, “The magistrate said I had cultivated and planted crops on the land, which wasn’t true. He based his judgment on hearsay and didn’t conduct a locus visit, making the charges against me unjust.”

Additionally, the magistrate fined Nsubuga one million Ugandan shillings (1,000,000 UGX) for allegedly disobeying his orders despite his having already served his sentence.

Ssentongo is currently battling with cases CRB:301/2023, accused of illegally occupying Kirijje forest land (offense carrying out prohibited activities in forest reserve), CRB 232/2024 with complainant Kabale Denis (District Forest Officer) charged with carrying out prohibited activities in the forest reserve and CRB 098/2023 on criminal trespass with Buvuma College administration, the complainant.

In 2020, he was arrested, charged with criminal trespass in case number CRB:131/2020, and sentenced to one year in Majjo prison.

“I think you have witnessed what I have been through. Today alone, I have three cases, just the ones currently being heard. I have been arrested and charged over nine times. Imagine, and the reason is that I am resisting and mobilizing my community to fight against the land-grabbing scheme orchestrated by powerful, connected individuals,” Ssentongo revealed in an interview with the Witness Radio team.

Others facing persecution are

  1. Steven Kyeswa, Kisekwa Richard, and Kibondwe Chrysostom on CRB 141/2024 on assault charges.
  2. Kisekwa Richard and Kibondwe Chrysostom on CRB:251/2023 were accused of criminal trespass.
  3. Nsubuga Charles on CRB: 263/2021, CRB 165/2022 and CRB:263/2023. In all cases, he was charged with criminal trespassing on his land, and the Buvuma school administration accused him of trespassing on the school’s land. According to Nsubuga, the school withdrew criminal case number 165/2022 and subsequently filed a civil case (022/2023), which was ruled in their favor.

Whereas community defenders are charged with the same criminal offenses by the same complainants in Buvuma, according to Uganda’s constitution, this is unlawful. Section 18 of the Penal Code Act Cap 120 states that a person shall not be punished twice for the same offense under this Code or any other law.

Continue Reading

DEFENDING LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

Another group of eleven environmental activists have been charged with common nuisance and remanded to Luzira Prison for opposing the EACOP project.

Published

on

By Witness Radio team.

Despite the risks, these eleven environmental activists, unwavering in their opposition to the EACOP project, were accused of holding an illegal assembly. Their arrest on the 26th/02/2025, while attempting to deliver a petition to the European Union Delegation to Uganda offices in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, is a testament to their remarkable courage and commitment.

Clad in orange T-shirts emblazoned with the words “No to Oil,” these activists, chanting “Stop EACOP,” peacefully sought to engage the European Union. Their peaceful approach and their plea to the EU to use its influence, mainly through its member state, France, to engage TotalEnergies to abandon their involvement in the EACOP project, is a testament to their commitment to a nonviolent resolution.

The EACOP project has been widely criticized for its potential to cause significant environmental damage. The heated pipeline, stretching 1,445 kilometers from Hoima, Uganda, to the port of Tanga in Tanzania, could devastate sensitive ecosystems, threaten endangered wildlife, severely impact water resources, and increase greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, it could displace local communities and cause social disruption along the pipeline route, making it a highly controversial project with substantial environmental risks.

The EACOP project, also known as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, will transport oil from Hoima, Uganda, to the port of Tanga in Tanzania. Other shareholders include the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania. The project has been a subject of controversy due to its potential environmental and social impact.

Shafic Kalyong, Joseph Ssengozi, Namuddu Rahima, Gilbert Nayebare, Arafat Mawanda, Hillary Mangeni, Brilliant James Mufere, Desire Ndyamwesiga, and Keisha Ali, among others,

were arraigned before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, charged them with common nuisance, and remanded them to Luzira Prison.

Section 160 of the Penal Code states that a person convicted of common nuisance faces a one-year imprisonment.

The eleven were arrested a few days after environmental campaigners demanded that the Uganda Police cease detaining and criminalizing nonviolent protestors. This demand followed the continuous adjournment of cases involving EACOP protesters, causing delays and exhausting their resources. In their press conference, the activists stated that police should not arrest them, as the Court often lacks sufficient evidence to try them, leading to unnecessary delays.

The activists will return to the Court from remand on the 6th of March 2025. This court appearance is significant as it will determine the next course of action in their legal battle against the charges of common nuisance.

Continue Reading

Resource Center

Legal Framework

READ BY CATEGORY

Facebook

Newsletter

Subscribe to Witness Radio's newsletter



Trending

Subscribe to Witness Radio's newsletter