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New resolution strengthens Africans’ right to food 

The latest session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples‘Rights has culminated with a resolution to advance the right to food and nutrition on the continent.

In its 65th Ordinary Session held in Banjul, Gambia, the African Commission on Human and Peoples (ACHPR) adopted the Resolution on the Right to Food and Nutrition (RtFN) in Africa.  Among its highlights, the resolution recognizes the importance of national RtFN legal frameworks, as well as the full participation of small-scale food producers, farmers, livestock farmers and fisherfolks in the design and monitoring of the realization of the RtFN. Furthermore, the adopted resolution calls on States Parties to foster local and organic food production and consumption by banning GMOs, and regulating the promotion and marketing of industrialized and highly processed foods. In addition, the resolution highlights the important role of women in maintaining and improving rural  livelihoods  and urges the promotion  and  strengthening of  multi-sector and gender inclusive  platforms  at  the  national  level.

“The resolution is key for carrying out advocacy work to advance the RtFN at national and regional level. It serves to recognize and legally protect peasant seeds, which are important to ensure biodiversity and diversified healthy food and nutrients. Equally, the resolution is an important tool to promote the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) General Recommendation 34 on the Rights of Rural Women and the UN Declaration on Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP), as both human rights instruments have provisions that are in line with this resolution”, commented Valentin Hategekimana, Africa Coordinator at FIAN International

FIAN International highly welcomes the resolution and encourages the ACHPR to step up its efforts to advance the RtFN in Africa.

For more information, please contact: hategekimana(at)fian.org