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In defense of land rights: A monitoring report on land conflicts in six Asian countries
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forced eviction from their landlords. Review the reports developed by past
High-Level Land Reform Commissions, and conduct public consultations
to solicit views and concerns on needed land reform measures.
Philippines: Complete the implementation of all existing land and resource
reform programs, including the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
Install all farmer-beneficiaries on their awarded lands. Implement land-tothe tiller in public agricultural and forest lands and give local communities
preferential rights in the issuance of Integrated Forest Management
Agreements (IFMAs).
Enact a specific law to prevent land grabbing and for quick resolution
of land disputes. In Cambodia, apply an immediate moratorium on the
issuance of Economic Land Concessions (ELCs), and undertake a full
contractual compliance review of all land concessions.
Protect the poor and marginalized communities from arbitrary eviction
and forced displacement.
Establish an independent monitoring mechanism on large-scale land
investments and concessions so as to guarantee respect for human rights
and responsible investment standards. Explore alternatives to large-scale
land investments that forcibly displace communities from their homes and
sources of livelihood.
Protect land rights defenders. In line with the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), adopt effective measures
to combat the culture of violence and impunity, and to protect human
rights defenders, including indigenous leaders and peasant activists.
Legislate and implement land use policies in order to protect agricultural
areas against fragmentation and land use conversion, to strengthen local
food security, and to prevent conflicts between different groups and
communities. In the Philippines, legislate the National Land Use Act
(NLUA) to protect agricultural and forest lands from land use conversion,
and to protect the rights of smallholders and indigenous communities.
Adopt and implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and
Human Rights (UNGP BHR) in land and resource governance. As an
initial effort, governments should implement the UN Guiding Principles in
the management and operations of State-owned enterprises.
Address violations of land/human rights where they occur. Cancel land
leases, permits, and licenses of companies and groups that violate land/
human rights.
Conduct outreach programs to inform local communities, especially
vulnerable groups, of their land rights and entitlements.
Train government staff (including those working at the district land
offices, as well as the police and military) on alternative dispute resolution,
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