There is an undeniable link between land and indigenous peoples’ rights, including their right to an adequate standard of living, food, health, culture, and housing. Access and enjoyment of land involve indigenous societies in their entirety, and its deprivation creates a cycle of human rights violations that affect diverse aspects of their lives, with severe consequences on their overall well-being.
In this context, No Peace Without Justice submitted a written contribution to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), aiming at providing relevant reflections on the draft of the general comment on Land and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. We highlighted the need for an intersectional perspective when addressing all land-related issues and the indivisibility of human rights as a principle of paramount importance. Special attention must be given to the Covenant rights related to land and self-determination, assuming a culturally sensitive approach that considers the diverse perspectives from which the right to food, housing, and others, are experienced by each cultural context and social group.
NPWJ believes it is essential to bring visibility to and take action for the right to land in indigenous contexts. The land is a cornerstone in their development and a central pillar of all aspects of their societies.
We call for unity and collective work to promote the well-being and fulfilment of indigenous rights and seek accountability at various levels to redress and prevent future violations.
- Link to the submission page: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CESCR/Pages/CESCR-draft-GC-land.aspx
