Peasant leaders face harassment and political persecution

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
61st session
14 March – 22 April 2005

[Excerpt from the statement]

Many of them are not only dispossessed, but also suffer various forms of repression in addition to the damage inflicted on them. For example, the concentration of arable land in the hands of a minority and the proliferation of free trade agreements have disastrous consequences for these farmers. They find themselves not only deprived of their land, but also of access to local seeds and water, not to mention the destruction of biodiversity by new agricultural techniques.

Read the CETIM’s oral statement