Combatting climate change by strengthening the participation of environmental defenders in Liberia

Liberia has witnessed a widespread abuse of Indigenous community rights in concessions for palm oil plantations, logging, mining and large agribusiness companies across the country. All too frequently, local Indigenous communities suffer from a range of human rights violations including displacement, denial of their livelihoods and destruction of property. Human rights abuses, corruption and violence are risks faced daily by environmental defenders who focus on protecting their communities, land, natural resources and rights. In many instances, arbitrary arrest and detention, frivolous criminal charges, false accusations and unfair trials of community leaders and human rights defenders take place.

The Land Rights Act signed in 2018 asserts the right to what is known as customary land –territory that can be claimed through oral testimony and community agreement. However, the Act is not retroactive for those living on the quarter of the country’s land set aside for concessions. In addition to land and human rights issues, climate change is threatening traditional livelihoods in Indigenous communities. Unfortunately, most discussions on land, natural resources and climate change have not included local communities and environmental defenders.

This project aims to contribute to the empowerment of environmental defenders and their communities to actively and effectively participate in land, climate and natural resource governance in the context of climate change. It will assess the threats faced by environmental defenders in Liberia and strengthen their capacities to push back against attacks and harassment. It will also generate and promote local knowledge to advance community-driven preservation of biodiversity and sustainable livelihood practices and boost climate adaptation and resilience. It will further seek to equip Indigenous communities with advocacy and legal aid so they can claim their rights and ultimately inform the development and implementation of national policies related to land, environmental and climate sustainability.