Social activists at risk - Real World Radio

Features / Social activists at risk

In this section Real World Radio aims to expose the murders of social activists and the cases of death threats against leaders. We will report on the wave of criminalization of the social protest. This new section of Real World Radio is also a memorial page for all those who were murdered in their struggle for a socially just world.

This special section is funded in part by the European Commission.

14 January 2013 | Testimonies | Social activists at risk

Good Example

Testimony after the release of the political prisoners of Santa Cruz Barillas

The struggle against Spanish company Hidralia SA in Santa Cruz Barillas, Guatemala, where there are plans to build a hydroelectric dam, should be an example for the other communities facing megaprojects, said Isabela Gaspar Francisco to Real World Radio. Read more
3 January 2013 | News | Land grabbing | Social activists at risk

Solidarity and Struggle

Friends of the Earth issues statement in response to murders and persecutions of peasants in Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI), the worldwide largest federation of grassroots environmental groups, expressed its solidarity with the families of Cristian Ferreyra and Miguel Galván, members of the Peasant Movement of Santiago del Estero (MOCASE), who were murdered in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The network also expressed its solidarity with all who support the fight against the advance of agribusiness in Argentina. Read more
26 December 2012 | Chronicles | Victims of climate change | Land grabbing | Social activists at risk

Time of Change

“Isla del Sol Manifesto” and a platform for future struggles

Bolivian president Evo Morales called for a celebration in Isla del Sol, Titicaca Lake, on Friday, summer solstice, considered by native cultures of the American continent as the beginning of a new era. Several representatives of Latin American progressive governments and social movements participated in the event where Evo Morales read the “Isla del Sol Manifesto”. Read more
24 December 2012 | Interviews | Land grabbing | Social activists at risk

Empowered Communities

Interview with Environmental Activist David Kureeba, FoE Uganda

If we want to protect biodiversity, local communities and indigenous peoples should be in charge. The use of traditional knowledge should be promoted as opposed to genetically modified organisms (GMO), said activist David Kureeba, of Friends of the Earth Uganda. Read more
20 December 2012 | News | Social activists at risk

Peace Under Construction

Colombian Organizations Discuss Demands and Territorial Needs for Peace Talks ones colombianas debatieron demandas y necesidades territoriales que serán insumos en los diálogos de paz

On Wednesday, over 1,300 people and 522 civil society organizations participated in the Forum of Policies on Integral Agrarian Reform in Bogota. The forum was organized by the National University of Colombia and the United Nations Office in Colombia, at the request of the Negotiations Table between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Read more
19 December 2012 | Interviews | Social activists at risk

‘They Are Killing Us’

Resistance to the Soy Model

The neighbors of the Argentinean town of Guernica, in Buenos Aires province, have been putting up a fight for nearly ten years against the use of agrotoxics, which has contaminated the environment and affected the health of the local population. Thanks to their mobilization, organization and constant monitoring the neighbors have been able to make one of the three plots of land to stop fumigating. Read more
18 December 2012 | Interviews | Land grabbing | Social activists at risk

Seeds and Territory

Argentinean Organizations Mobilize in Buenos Aires Against Eviction and Privatization of Seeds

Argentina is going through deep changes which confronts Cristina Fernandez’ administration with the country’s big economic groups determined to prevent any form of democratization and judiciary restructuring. Read more
14 December 2012 | Videos | World Social Forum Free Palestine | Social activists at risk

The Occupation Continues

Interview with Sahar Francis, chair of Addameer, one of the Palestinian organizations recently raided by the Israeli army.

There are over 4,500 Palestinian political prisoners. The conditions of their detention are outrageous. They are abused, tortured and have no proper health care. This leads many of them to develop serious illnesses and in some cases to their death. Watch video
13 December 2012 | News | Land grabbing | Social activists at risk

They Will Go On

Santiago del Estero (Argentina): Court Rejects Appeal for Release of Murderer of Peasant Activist

At times when the Argentinean judiciary is being questioned for several conservative decisions, an appeals court in Santiago del Estero province dismissed an appeal to release the responsible for the murder of peasant activist Cristian Ferreyra. Read more
13 December 2012 | News | Social activists at risk

Dissenting Voices

European Parliament Passed Trade Agreements with Latin American Countries: Interview with Friends of the Earth Coordinator

Social and environmental organizations reacted to the European Parliament’s passing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Colombia and Peru, and an Association Agreement with Central America, with a public statement that warns about the negative impacts of these agreements on the people and the environment. Read more