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Article

12 Dec 2016

Author:
Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, (Switzerland)

Liberia: NGOs say rights advocates working with communities against abuses by Golden Veroleum under threat; appeal for action

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Liberia...The Observatory has been informed by reliable sources about the judicial harassment and threats against Mr. Alfred Lahai Brownell, Lead Advocate of Green Advocates...The series of arrest warrants seems to be linked to the community-based advocacy work carried out by Green Advocates throughout Liberia, especially in Sinoe County, where the organisation assisted communities to file a complaint over rights abuses by palm oil company Golden Veroleum, a subsidiary of the Singapore-listed company Golden Agri Resources. High-ranking officials of the Government of Liberia, including the President of Liberia herself, have publicly condemned Green Advocates for undermining national sovereignty through the use of the grievance mechanism of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)...