UN CERD warns that Cameroon’s Bagyeli communities face “imminent risk” of losing their lands to oil palm company

In April 2019, Association Okani, an indigenous peoples’ organisation based in Cameroon, in conjunction with Forest Peoples Programme submitted a request for consideration under the CERD Early Warning / Urgent Action Procedure in relation to the grant of a long-term lease of Bagyeli lands to Biopalm (an oil palm company) in Cameroon.

The Committee's response makes it clear that the state has an obligation to recognise and register the collective forest territories of the Bagyelis and other indigenous groups, including the Baka, and to pursue a free, prior and informed consent process prior to any use that affects them. It also states that current land laws are in need of reform.