Upholding Right to Food and Nutrition on International Human Rights Day  

Asia Chapter urges governments to fulfill their human rights obligations and take decisive action to implement Right to Food Guidelines.

In a new briefing, published on International Human Rights Day and marking the 20th anniversary of UN Right to Food Guidelines, Asia Chapter members present fresh perspectives on the Right to Food and Nutrition (RtFN), focusing on the dual themes of democratic backsliding and territory grabbing—two critical issues emphasized in the Right to Food Guidelines.

The backsliding of democracy in many countries is severely impacting the RtFN. In India, hate crimes, suppression of public food and nutrition data, and weakened local governance have worsened food insecurity and systemic RTFN violations. Similarly, in Bangladesh, corruption and repression of civil society have intensified inequities in social safety nets and agriculture, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups. In Indonesia, shrinking civil liberties and increased militarization have further curtailed accountability and sustainable food production, reflecting a deep erosion of popular democracy.

The denial of access and control over territory – fundamental to the realization of the RTFN—remains a critical issue across Asia. People in the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are affected by relentless land and ocean grabbing, with states and corporations treating natural resources as commodities for profit-driven projects.

This ongoing territory grabbing displaces peasants and fisherfolk, criminalizes resistance, and destroys ecosystems essential for present and future food sovereignty. Concrete steps must be taken to end hunger and malnutrition in line with the concrete demands stated in the GNRTFN statement issued in June 2024.