ABSTRACTED FROM THE MISSION STATEMENT: The primary purpose of his mission was for the Special Representative to update himself on the human rights situation in Cambodia for his report to the 61st session of the Commission on Human Rights. He paid particular attention to the management of land and natural resources, the continuing problem of impunity, and to corruption which impacts negatively on the realisation of a range of human rights and distorts the allocation of economic resources so as to further exacerbate existing inequalities.

The dramatic increase in migration and settlement in several areas where indigenous people live is leading to a multitude of problems for the original inhabitants. Lowland immigrants are taking advantage of the vulnerable situation of indigenous people, and the absence of regulations, to lay claim to the people’s traditional lands. Illegal land transactions are taking place at an alarming rate without thought of the problems that would result from widespread landlessness among indigenous peoples or the impact this is likely to have on the remaining forested areas.

Over 943,069 hectares of land in rural Cambodia have been granted to private companies as economic land concessions, for the development of agro-industrial plantations. Thirty-six of these 59 concessions have been granted in favour of foreign business interests or prominent political and business figures. These statistics exclude smaller economic land concessions granted at the provincial level, for which information on numbers and ownership has not been disclosed.

Under the development paradigm of ‘Economic Concessions’ increasingly large areas of Cambodia’s land have been given over to establishing fast-wood plantations in recent years. Whilst proponents have argued that plantations are necessary for Cambodia’s economic development, opponents have argued that overall the rural poor do not benefit and that, in addition, there are numerous other negative social impacts and environmental consequences.

Des fonds de développement européens et américains financent actuellement l’entreprise d’huile de palme Feronia Inc en dépit des conflits portant sur les terres et les conditions de travail sur ses plantations en République démocratique du Congo (RDC).

A submission from EarthRights International regarding the Paperwork Review Act approval process for the reporting requirements. On July 11, 2012, the U.S. Government announced a partial waiver of the ban on new investments in Myanmar. Americans are now allowed to invest in Myanmar but will be required to provide annual reports on their policies and procedures for human rights, environmental management, labor standards, land acquisition, and anti-corruption.

Exposición de Rene Martinez de Fundación Jubileo para el seminario "Mecanismos de financiación a la actividad agropecuaria de Bolivia: aporte desde tarija" realizado el 25 de mayo de 2012 en el salón de reuniones del Hotel Viña del Sur de la ciudad de Tarija , Bolivia.
 
 

Exposición de Carlos Villavicencio de PROSOL para el seminario "Mecanismos de financiación a la actividad agropecuaria de Bolivia: aporte desde Tarija" realizado el 25 de mayo de 2012 en el salón de reuniones del Hotel Viña del Sur de la ciudad de Tarija , Bolivia.
 
 
 

La agenda 2009 del desarrollo rural en el Perú
Fernando Eguren *

This report is timely input into the ongoing development agenda for Africa South of the Sahara (SSA).