News on Land

On the rainy night of Friday, August 3, the community of Chácara do Catumbi had much to celebrate: after 17 years of struggle, 17 of the community’s 22 families were the first in Rio de Janeiro history to receive land titles through the legal instrument of collective adverse possession.

There are more than 100 "uncontacted" tribes in Brazil's Amazon rainforest - the highest anywhere on the planet

RIO DE JANEIRO - Up to 2.5 billion people depend on indigenous and community lands, which make up more than half of all land globally, but they legally own just 10 percent.

The right of indigenous people to land and territories is protected by international legal conventions including the United Nations' Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was endorsed by hundreds of countries in 2007.

Transparency International is seeking a consultant to analyse large sets of data and information generated by its Land and Corruption in Africa Programme, and to review, update, complement and finalise the programme baseline. The data and information are generated through desk-based as well as empirical research (quantitative and qualitative).

Background

Sangrur, Punjab: “Our struggle is not just about money. It’s about owning a farm where we can go without fear,” said Paramjit Kaur, standing at the door of her kitchen, rolling a dough ball to make chapatis. “Now, our daughters can go alone to harvest fodder at any time.”

Paramjit Kaur was talking about the 15.5 acres of common land she is jointly tending with 200 other Dalit families of the village, earning 2.5 quintal wheat and Rs 1,200 annual profit per household.

In a letter dated July 20, 2018, GVL withdrew from the RSPO based on what the company termed as ‘time and space’ to implement its sustainable plan other than the RSPO recommendation.

Over the past ten years, the number of violent conflicts around the world has increased significantly, having a negative impact on food production and availability.

Since 2000, almost half of all civil conflicts around the world have taken place in Africa, where land issues have played a significant role in 90 percent of the 30 interstate conflicts.  

Competition over land and water can trigger conflict, threatening the welfare and the food security of the most vulnerable. 

Thousands of Colombians take to the streets Aug. 7 to demand President Ivan Duque uphold the 2016 peace accords he has promised to amend. 

On the day that newly elected president Ivan Duque is sworn in, activists across Colombia are demanding that he continue to implement the country’s 2016 peace accords to protect social rights activists and take up new talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN).

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 6 2018 (IPS) - Although indigenous peoples are being increasingly recognised by both rights activists and governmental organisations, they are still being neglected in legal documents and declarations. Indigenous peoples are only mentioned in two of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and only seen in two of the 230 SDG indicators, says indigenous rights expert Chris Chapman.

Liberians displaced by the civil war are gradually returning home, filled with dreams of rebuilding their shattered country. Many have invested their savings in land, upon which they plan to construct new homes and businesses, only to discover that rampant corruption has been allowed to fester within the land administration system.

Acute water shortages have sparked a dispute between transport and energy companies over who has more right to exploit Brazil’s waterways

PEDERNEIRAS, Brazil - "Tiete river, I count on you for a lifetime" - stirring words from the anthem of Pederneiras city that show the near-sacred status of a waterway that helps power Brazil's entire economy.