text: UNITED NATIONS Economic and Social Distr. Council E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/NGO/8 3 Auqust 1990 Oriqinal; ENGLISH COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Forty-second session Item 8 of the provisional aqenda THE REALIZATION OF ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS Written statement submitted by FIAN (Food first International Action Network) a non-qovernmental orqanization in consultative status (Roster) The Secretary-General has received the followinq conamunication, which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1296 (XLIV). [23 July 1990] GE.90-17029/7203A E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/NGO/8 paqe 2 Concerninq: Mr. Danilo Turk's report on the realization of economic, social and cultural riqhts. 1. The Food first International Action Network (FIAN) was founded in 1986 as an international orqanization for the riqht to food. A number of the founders have been involved in the conceptual discussions and development of the riqht to food (as a fundamental economic, social and cultural riqht) since the early eiqhties. Since then FIAN has been concentratinq on the riqht to feed oneself focusinq on land riqhts, peasants' riqhts and aqricultural workers' riqhts. 2. We believe Mr. Turk's focus on extreme poverty in his preliminary report on the realization of economic, social and cultural riqhts (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1989/19) is extremely important. In situations of extreme poverty the riqht to food is crucial. Moreover, the riqht to food and the obliqations derivinq from it could serve as a "test case" for economic, social and cultural riqhts. 3. People need access to food in diqnity. This involves the access to food-producinq or income-qeneratinq resources, e.q. land or sufficiently paid work possibilities. In many rural situations access to land is the immediate remedy and often the only one. The reality of very many of the poor today is a rural reality. And the bleak situation of economic, social and cultural 
analysis: The text appears to focus on the right to food, its connection to economic, social, and cultural rights, and the importance of access to food-producing resources, such as land. The organization FIAN emphasizes the need for people to have access to food in dignity, which implies a focus on the basic needs of individuals. This suggests that the category should be related to human well-being and the provision of basic necessities.