Palm oil politics: Liberian land rights defenders on the run after threats from police

Palm oil, one of the most widely used oils in the world, is not only used as a cooking medium but is also a key ingredient for many products, including consumer goods, such as cosmetics and soap.

Liberia, on the west African coast, a war-ravaged country, is seeing a spurt in palm oil cultivation, leading to deforestation and disrupting local communities and their land rights, according to media reports.

Alfred Brownell, a campaigner for the land rights of Liberia’s local communities, and his staff at Green Advocates -- an organization founded by Brownell -- have gone underground after threats from the police.

Green Advocates work with impoverished rural communities to protect their rights to the lands and natural resources they depend on

Warrants have been issued, and, at present, the staff of Green Advocates are in hiding, in response to the imminent threat of their arrest.

This is the latest in a long history of threats, intimidation, and harassment against human rights defenders in Liberia.

“Liberia’s laws and constitution ensure that rural communities have a right to be consulted on development initiatives that affect their lands and livelihoods. Yet, that is not happening on a large scale. And when people stand up for their rights, all too often they face threats and violence,” said Brownell. “I will continue to stand with them any way I can.”

Brownell and his colleagues are now facing arrest for contempt of court after he failed to respond to a subpoena for his testimony in an unrelated case.

Brownell never received the subpoena, it has been said.

The writ of arrest was presented to staff members of Green Advocates on October 30 by plain clothed police officers, who were unable to provide proof of their identity when requested by Green Advocates staff.

The Liberian police have since surrounded the office of Green Advocates, invaded the home of Brownell, and briefly arrested his uncle.

The situation follows an extensive chain of threats against human rights defenders working on land and natural resources issues in Liberia, said a release from Rights and Resources Initiative.

Green Advocates staff were involved in a complaint against a palm oil project run by Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL) that poses serious threats to affected communities in Sinoe County. In response, they have faced surveillance, threats, and reprimands from Liberia’s government and security personnel employed by the company, the Rights and Resources Initiative release said.

Affected community members continue to face violence, harassment and arbitrary detention in response to their protests.

The backlash triggered a riot and led to the arrest of dozens of activists and community members, one of whom eventually died in prison under unexplained circumstances.

“The unjustified harassment against Alfred Brownell and his colleagues fits a global pattern in which land rights defenders are increasingly being treated as criminals,” said Andy White, Coordinator of the Rights and Resources Initiative. “The Liberian government has made tremendous progress in establishing the rule of law. Respecting Green Advocates’ work giving voice to Liberia’s poorest and most marginalized is another opportunity to demonstrate their commitment.”

The murder and criminalization of indigenous peoples, local communities, and their advocates is a worsening trend worldwide, according to Rights and Resources Initiative.

2015 was the worst year on record for killings of land and environmental defenders, with more than three people killed every week, said the release.

2016 has seen the murder and criminalization of activists continues unabated. This occurs in spite of clear evidence that land rights for Indigenous Peoples and local communities protect forests, increase food security, and prevent conflict, said Rights and Resources Initiative.

Image: The Oil Palm Facebook/representational purpose only