Land grabbing vs land defenders

There have long been inequalities in access to and control over land and natural resources. However, with factors such as the increased commodification of land, globalisation, and the power of transnational corporations, the phenomenon of land grabbing has been on the rise. Land issues can be a driver of armed conflict and also can be prevalent during contexts of armed conflict and heightened militarisation. Land grabbing has impacted communities’ ability to sustain their livelihoods and cultural practices and, in some cases, has also harmed the environment by contributing to pollution and carbon emissions. Communities who push back against these developments have often been met with severe repression and violence.  

In this final episode of season 2, we speak with Juliana Nnoko-Mewanu from Human Rights Watch about what land grabbing is, why it’s happening, who is perpetrating it, and how it’s impacting communities. In our discussion we explore different case studies, including Colombia, Myanmar, and Papua, particularly focusing on the ways land grabbing relates to discussions on armed conflict. 

For more about Juliana Nnoko’s research and work, you can visit: https://www.hrw.org/about/people/juliana-nnoko