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.