On World Food Day, please join us for a special briefing:
“Indigenous Peoples, Human Rights, and Food Security in Guatemala: It’s Time For Governments to be Accountable.”
Co-sponsored by: ActionAid USA, Guatemala Human Rights Commission, USA, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Interfaith Working Group on Global Hunger and Food Security, Latin America Working Group, Oxfam America, The International Mayan League
&
Honorary Host: U.S. Representative Raúl M. Grijalva
October 16, 2018
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM 121 Cannon House Office Building
Light breakfast will be provided.
Food insecurity, and conflict over land are among the root causes of migration from and within Central American countries. This briefing will focus on Guatemala, where Maya, Xinca, and Garifuna indigenous peoples make up more than half the population, with 79% living in poverty and 40% in extreme poverty. Nearly half of Guatemala’s children are chronically malnourished due to structural inequality and institutional racism which is manifested in the unequal distribution of agricultural lands. The lack of legal protection of indigenous peoples’ rights to lands, territories and natural resources has created an environment in which 2.5% of farms take up two-thirds of all agricultural land and agribusiness such as sugarcane and palm oil continue to expand on the lands of indigenous communities.
Global respect for indigenous land rights is key to addressing food insecurity and protecting the planet against environmental degradation.
Speakers:
Moderator, Martin Shupack, Church World Service, representing the Interfaith Working Group on Global Hunger and Food Security.
Defending the Sacred: Cosmovision, Sovereignty, and Land Rights. Nana Maria Teresa, Maya Mam Elder, The International Mayan League.
Exploitation of Land and the Criminalization of Indigenous Land Rights Defenders. Douglas Hertzler, ActionAid.
Accountability for Human Rights in Guatemala: Annie Bird, Guatemala Human Rights Commission, USA.