Community Land Protection

PETITION STATEMENT FOR THE PASSAGE OF A PROCOMMUNITY LAND RIGHTS BILL ISSUED THIS 29TH DAY OF MAY 2018 AD To our honorable lawmakers of the 54th Legislative Assembly, We, members of the Liberia Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Working Group on Land Rights Reform , (hereafter the Working Group), a group of 28 CSOs working on land reform in Liberia; working along with the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), the Women Land Rights Task Force (WLRTF), communities across Liberia and in the diaspora, and friends from across Africa and around the world are here to present a collect

The draft Liberian Land Rights Act (LRA) has the potential to become a fundamental law to the creation of a peaceful future for the country – improving the lives of over 3 million Liberians, reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and protecting the country’s forests. However, unless major changes are made to the current version that is in the hands of Senators, this historic opportunity will be lost.

In June 2016, Rights and Rice Foundation (RRF) andSustainable Development Institute (SDI) commissioned theconduct of a research to assess collective title versusindividual title and their implications for livelihood in termsof the use and management of land and forest resources.The research was conducted based on the premise that thedraft Land Rights Act (LRA) will be legislated therebypaving the way for formalized and legally protectedcollective ownership of land.With this pending development there is a need for civil society, policymakers and the rural population to better understand the

This Policy Brief is a result of CSOs consultations with rural communities on the draft Land Rights Act. It provides the views of local communities on the draft Act, as well presents concrete recommendations to protect the pro community provisions of the Act.

This Policy Brief is a result of CSOs consultations with ruralcommunities on the draft Land Rights Act. It provides the views oflocal communities on the draft Act, as well presents concreterecommendations to protect the pro community provisions of the Act

Draft Land Rights Act submitted to the Legislature in late 2014.

This Policy is a vision statement of where Liberians want to go with their land sector; none of the below principles or recommendations will be applied retroactively to change prior actions by the Government. Rather, this Policy will help ensure that in the future Liberia’s land sector is orderly, just, and contributes to economic growth and development for all Liberians. 

This guide is intended to support communities make an informed and participatory decision about whether or not they want to share their lands and resources with companies or investors. It is meant to help make sure that communities think carefully about if they want to share their lands and resources, and if yes, how to make sure those communities will get a fair deal in return. This guide will help foster peace between a community and company or investor through open and honest discussions.

These posters explain details of Sime Darby and Golden Veroleum Liberia’s concession agreements with the Government of Liberia highlighting key areas of concern related to community rights. The posters are designed to be used as educational resources for communities. They are for educational purposes only; for legal interpretations please refer to the original contracts.

The Government of Liberia has drafted a new land policy that recognizes community ownership rights over their customary lands. The Community Guide to Protecting Community Lands and Resources teaches communities how to go through the process of documenting and protecting their customary lands and natural resources.