CSOs Position Statement on the Land Authority Act (LAA) and the Land Rights Act (LRA) in Liberia

Monrovia, June28, 2016

The Civil Society Working Group on Land Rights Reform in Liberia, endorsed by the national Civil Society Council of Liberia, has been involved in intense and persistent advocacy work to raise awareness around land reforms in the country, particularly to get the general public to demand the passage of the Land Rights Act (LRA).

In 2014 and 2015, the President of Liberia Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, submitted to the National Legislature drafts of the Land Rights Act (LRA) and Land Authority Act (LAA), respectively. However, after two public hearings, the LAA remains in the Legislature with limited public information on the status of the LRA. The CSO working group has made several attempts to ascertain as to what actions are being taken, including changes made to the draft LRA.

Over the past two years, the CSO Working Group embarked on a rigorous campaign to push for the passage of the 2014 version of the LRA, which protects customary land rights. The group has accordingly held activities to this end with, representation from various civil society organizations and community based groups, including student leaders from various universities, WONGOSOL (Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia), tradition leaders, faith based organizations (i.e. Council of Churches and the Muslim Council of Liberia), all of whom unflinchingly support this campaign.

Recently the CSO Working Group released a press statement (please see www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php/news/1221-liberia-civil-society-demands-changes-in-land-authority-act) highlighting concerns about the Land Reform processes, the lack of transparency with the LRA enactment process and troubling aspects of the LAA that have emerged in the new Bill since it passed the Senate.

The CSOs Position Statement on the Land Authority Act and the Land Rights Act was issued on June 28, 2016 to brief the Liberian public and foreign partners on the issues and concerns of the CSOs and the general public on the land reform process in Liberia.