Janet Samuel, Abuja
Friends of the Earth Africa (FoEA) has urged the ECOWAS Parliament to promote Agroecology and other Sustainable Farming Practices that will encourage afforestation and protect community right.
Friends of the Earth Africa is a regional network of environmental and social justice organizations in 10 countries in Africa carrying out campaigns for environmental protection, climate justice, food sovereignty, and the rights of indigenous.
The Coordinator, Forest & Biodiversity Program, Friends of the Earth Africa, Rita Uwaka, made the call on behalf of the organization at the ongoing Second Ordinary Session of the Parliament in Abuja.
While presenting evidence of widespread environmental and human rights violations associated with industrial plantations that include; Deforestation, Land grabbing, Pollution, exploitation of workers and violence against women among others, the Co-ordinator called on ECOWAS Parliament to develop Regional Policies that will address these issues.
“Promote agroecology and other sustainable farming practices, reject trade and investment agreements that undermine environmental and human rights protections; support the adoption of a legally binding treaty on transnational corporations and human rights at the United Nations.”
According to her, the policies should include restrictions on financing for environmentally destructive projects, protection of indigenous peoples’ rights, and mechanisms for holding companies accountable for their actions.
