Indian-Ethiopian Civil Society Summit on Land Investments
On February 6, 2013 the Indian Social Action Forum (INSAF), Kalpavriksh, PEACE, and The Oakland Institute convened a day-long civil society summit at the India International Centre, New Delhi, bringing together activists resisting land grabs across India and Ethiopia.
The meeting was a groundbreaking opportunity for dialogue among Ethiopian small farmers and land rights activists and their Indian counterparts, providing space for those directly affected by land grabs to share their experiences, suffering, and collectively strategize to challenge institutional and corporate land grabbers.
In association with this summit, The Oakland Institute along with Indian partner groups held a press conference February 5 on the Impacts of Indian Agricultural Investments in Ethiopia.
- A Day Light Robbery in Ethiopia: “Doing Business” with African Dictators--Statement by Mr. Obang Metho
- Statement by Nyikaw Ochalla, Director, Anywaa Survival Organisation-ASO
- FAQs about Indian investment in Ethiopia
New reports released by the Oakland Institute:
- Omo: Local Tribes Under Threat
- Unheard Voices: The Human Rights Impact of Land Investments on Indigenous Communities in Gambella
- Lower Omo: Local Tribes Under Threat (video)
Schedule of Events:
- February 5 (10 AM-1:30 PM)--Roundtable Discussion on Understanding Land Investment in East Africa with Anuradha Mittal and Ethiopian representatives at the India International Centre, New Delhi.
- February 5 (4-6 PM)--Press Conference on the Impacts of Indian Agricultural Investments in Ethiopia with the release of new reports by the Oakland Institute (OI) at the Press Club of India, New Delhi. Download the media advisory for the press conference.
- February 6 (9 AM-5:30PM)--Convention on the Great Land Grab Saga in Ethiopia and India: A civil society summit to deliberate on the ongoing land takeover in India and in African countries like Ethiopia by Indian companies to be held at the India International Centre, New Delhi. View the agenda.
- February 7-8--National Convention on Struggles Against Land Grabs and fabrication of false cases against Indian activists at the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi.
Oakland Institute reporting on land grabs in Ethiopia:
MEDIA_ADVISORY.pdf Ethiopia_India_FAQ.pdf