Landless farmers under constant threat
Abby Anna Batko-Taylor 12 Nov 2004 16:30 GMT (translated by Abby Anna Batko-Taylor)
Police violently dislocated a group of rural farmers on November 4th who were occupying land in the department of San Pedro, Paraguay. (photos) One farmer, Aurelio Espinosa, 55 years old, was killed, and 30 others were detained. This type of confrontation has occurred in various departments in the country. Typically, farmers and their families have been sent to prison, where they have experienced inhumane conditions and treatment.
In just three years, the Paraguayan government has expelled more than 100,000 farmers from their lands in the implementation of mono-agricultural programs to cultivate genetically modified wheat, soy and corn. These farmers are joining the growing number of families in Paraguay without land, now more than 400,000. The government of Nicanor Duata, following the footsteps of past governments, has promised lands to the farmers, but has not followed through on this. He has publically acknowledged that there are 13 million hectares (32.11 million acres)of ill-gotten land and that 90% of that land is in the hands of 2% of the population of Paraguay.
Note: this translations is missing some links: check the spanish original and/or post a new translations. thanks.
The National Front of the Fight for Life and Autonomy urges the application of a real agrarian reform, the end of latifundio (large-landholder system), and locally-based development in rural areas. The farmers without land are constantly threatened by the police. The police are used by the government to take farmers from their land, and are also used by large landholders that have publicly threatened to use their "armed hoodlums, to assasinate and defend their land with bullets."
On the upcoming 17th of November, the National Front will convene a national strike that will cut off traffic routes and movement in the whole country. Meanwhile, military units have been deployed to protect large agribusinesses and the farms of large landholders.
More info in spanish: Indymedia Uruguay | RedRural
If the 2% are keeping the 98% from enjoying a rational, happy life…
BrentScott 13.Nov.2004 15:50
If the 2% are keeping the 98% from enjoying a rational, happy life then perhaps the 98% need to sacrifice the 2% for the greater good of the people.
If the 98% are so harassed and oppressed by the mind sets of the 2%, then maybe the loss of the 2% is an acceptable cost to society. If the subjugation of the 98% is acceptable to the 2%, then the subjugation or complete elimination of the 2% by the 98% must be acceptable to the 98% for that is the way of truth. It either works both ways, or it isn’t true.
Humanity in immediate need of a shift in seeing and thinking.
Brent Scott 13.Nov.2004 15:52
Humanity in immediate need of a shift in seeing and thinking.
Common people who want small things, such as a life free from violence, an opportunity to enjoy their family and friends, a relationship with the Earth and their fellows that is graceful and mature, are in an immediate need of a shift in seeing and thinking.
When confronted by the unnatural and disturbing violence that comes from greed, which comes from the fear of scarcity, and is manifest in a drive to control, acquire beyond ones needs, and dominate other people, common people must shift their thinking beyond the natural repulsion and confusion that comes from encountering these abnormal and unhealthy mind sets.
There is a great and immediate need to be able to shift one’s thinking, both individually and collectively, and move to creative, even playful, responses to unhealthy mind sets such as greed and fear.
So, how does one respond to someone who is in such fear that they are in the grip of greed, violence, and gripped by a drive to control others? How does a loving father and mother respond to a child who is in fear about the imagined threat of a false idea?
Be calm and tell them the truth. While you go about the business of taking care of your loved ones, the Earth which is the source of all prosperity, and one’s fellows, remain calm and tell the truth. Assure the person who is in fear that there is no danger and that you will not leave them or let anything bad happen to them and that they are loved. The state of fear can only be calmed and reduced. Once the person is released by the “Grip” of the fear can they begin to think in more rational, loving, and humane ways.
What makes these problems seem so intractable, so difficult to change, is the way we see the problem and the secession of our own rational and creative thinking when confronted by abnormal, violent, unloving behavior. We must retain our composure, creativity, and humor. This is the beginning of responding effectively with the challenging encounters with people in the grip of greed and fear.
Genetically modified crops
Paul Karl Dell 17.Nov.2004 00:14
Yes, it's a terrible thing to have troops, police, armed thugs... whoever, dragging farmers from their land. But haven't we missed the most important clue to this travisty? WHO are the suppliers of the genetically modified seed being grown on these stolen parcels of land? How has it been modified and where was that work performed? Farmers in the US have rejected the use of genetically modified seeds due to the vast uncertainties associated with such crops and their effect on the local environments.