customary land

Why April 17, the International Day of Peasant Struggles, is important

On 20 Apr, 2011 By rait man

We should celebrate one of the largest but least recognised groups in the world, who grow most of the food we eat, says Henry Saragih*

Peasants and small farmers make up half of the world population and grow at least 70% of the world's food. This group includes small-scale farmers, pastoralists, landless people, peasant fishers and indigenous people all around the world.

No justification for land grabbing in Papua New Guinea or any developing country

On 20 Apr, 2011 By rait man

Papua New Guinea has recently lost over 5 million hectares of land to dubious agriculture projects, a scenario that is being repeated right across the developing world.

April 17, the International Day of Peasant Struggles, was therefore an auspicious moment for prominent farmers, fisherfolk, human rights and research organisations from around the world to sharply criticised the World Bank, three UN agencies and western governments for promoting agricultural investments that are resulting in land grabbing on a massive scale.

Scientists urge Papua New Guinea to declare moratorium on massive forest clearing

On 20 Apr, 2011 By rait man

By Jeremy Hance

Papua New Guinea land reform is a sham

On 16 Apr, 2011 By rait man With 1 Comments

Post Courier editorial

Is the present Government involved in a conspiracy to take over all customary land in Papua New Guinea? 

We ask this question because we are alarmed at the manner and rate at which the Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABLs) are granted to date. According to our records, 5,114,911.85 hectares of customary land have been leased, much of the leases granted in the last two years. 

Lands Secretary signature 'all over' SABLs

On 12 Apr, 2011 By rait man With 2 Comments

The signature of the Secretary for Lands, Pepi Kimas, appears on the gazettal notices for leases taking away customary landowner rights to over 3.4 million hectares of land.

This appears to contradict Kimas's claims, Post Courier 5 April, that his Department is not responsible for the huge loss of land through 99-year Special Agricuture Business Leases over the last 5 years.

The new land grab in Papua New Guinea

On 31 Mar, 2011 By rait man

By Colin Filer

This is the introduction to a Paper to be presented by Colin Filer at an international conference in the UK starting on April 6. The full paper can be downloaded below

Over 10% of customary land lost in dodgy agriculture leases

On 23 Mar, 2011 By tok stret With 1 Comments

There has been a massive increase in the alienation and the conversion of customary land in recent years through the issuing of special agriculture and business leases (SABLs).

The allocation of these leases, some covering hundreds of thousands of hectares, seems to be occurring outside all proper legal channels and without the informed consent of affected landowners. The leases are being handed out by the Department of Lands without compliance with relevant laws, which indicates either negligence or fraud on the part of lands officers and the government.

United Nations demands answers on land alienation and environment changes

On 22 Mar, 2011 By rait man With 1 Comments

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights has written a strongly worded letter (copy below) to the Papua New Guinea government demanding answers about the granting of agriculture leases over large areas of customary land.

The letter, signed by the Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, also raises concerns about the impacts of controversial amendments to the Environment Act last year, that took away citizens rights to challenge approvals for large-scale resource projects and seek compensation for any damage.

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