Page 67 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 22

Food Health

country’s sovereignty and right to food between peasant farmers and
self-determination, by granting plant indigenous people in Honduras. It
breeders’ rights over our native should also take steps to bolster the
seeds and plant varieties for emi- conservation, management, and use
nently commercial use, to the detri- of native seeds as a strategy to adapt
ment of our free use of our natural to climate change.
resources and wealth.”
2) “The UPOV Convention, by Seeds are essential for life and for
means of Legislative Decree no. 21- the full exercise of the human right
2012, violates constitutional princi- to food. Without seeds, there can
ples for life, human dignity, and the be no food, and without food, no
right of the Honduran people to an people. After a ten-year fight, the
adequate standard of living.” peasant farmers of Honduras have
3) “It represents an attack on the achieved a resounding victory for
human right to nutrition and health, life and food sovereignty.
as well as the right of populations to
nutritious, healthy, and culturally ap- Editor’s comment:
propriate foods, in terms of access, Its such a joy to see that the war on
availability, and safety.” imperialism, irrespective of which sector
4) “The content of Decree 21- it is manifesting, can be won. It is such a
2012 contradicts article 145 of the blessing to know that it does not take the
Constitution which recognizes the billionaires of this world to win such wars,
obligation of the State of Honduras but simple people whose eyes and hearts are
to protect the environment, with a still open to see the injustice and manipu-
view to protecting the health of its lation going on in the global food system.
inhabitants.” Such people with such hearts are the real
5) “Legislative Decree 21-2012, con- heroes of the common man. A big kudos
taining the Law for Protection of to the peasant farmers and the independent
Plant Varieties, contravenes the duty producer groups in Honduras for taking a
of the State of Honduras to safe- godly stand against such wickedness.
guard our native cultures and farm-
ers’ rights, which are constitutionally We at Msingi Afrika Magazine are pas-
and internationally recognized.” sionate about seeing a reversal of the evil
being done to seeds, especially indigenous
Based on these observations, the seeds. Seeds are life carriers and anyone
Honduran Supreme Court of Justice who tampers with them in whatever shape
unanimously declared the “total un- or form is tampering with life and that
constitutionality of the LAW FOR should concern all of us. The global death
PROTECTION OF PLANT VARI- rate due to malpractices in the agriculture
ETIES, owing to its contravention, sector is alarming and it calls for a quick
restriction, and undermining of action.
constitutional rules, international Afrika is home to many indigenous seeds
treaties signed by Honduras, and in- and farming systems that are as old as
ternational standards concerning the time. The wicked attack on seeds and
protection of the right to adequate organic farming system is also very strong
nutrition”. here. But we believe that if Honduras can
take a stand to fight and win the evil on
ANAFAE considers that, rather seeds and organic food production, Afrika
than encouraging privatization of can much more do so. Why? Afrika is the
seeds, the State should promote fairs mother of humanity and there is power
where seeds can be exchanged and and authority that comes with that. Let’s
sold, and support the circulation of use it and victory is sure.
genetic material for agriculture and

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