Liberia

“GVL came here and told our people to give it land so it can provide citizens with jobs and development. Now, we have given GVL land and the jobs have been taken away from us"

European companies, including oil and rubber giant Socfin, have long profited from human rights abuses, environmental destruction and climate breakdown. This briefing from Global Witness sets out proposals on how to change that under EU law,

Responding to an appeal from a parliamentary representative to rectify the current Liberia Agriculture Company concession agreement, Liberia's President Weah said his administration don't want to threaten anybody.

But more than four years after signing a deal, five communities allege they were cheated. They say the company still owes them, and they demand retroactive payment.

Grand Cape Mount County Senator Varney Sherman says Mano Palm is reneging on the US$12M transferred for Sime Darby’s social obligations to Grand Cape Mount

The company is also found to have violated the land and cultural rights of local communities, including the right to free prior and informed consent and social requirements on basic needs and grievance and remedy.

Salala Rubber Corporation holds a concession of over 40,000 hectares in central Liberia, but has often been accused of land grabbing and destruction of the locals’ farms

There are 22 impoverished villages of over 2,000 inhabitants surrounding the Salala Rubber Corporation, and all are contending that the company turns over their land of inheritance, which it claimed without their consent years ago.

Alliance for Rural Democracy says recent attacks they suffered at the hands of thugs said to be acting on behalf of the Salala Rubber Corporation will not deter them from helping communities suffering abuses.

Mustapha Foboi made history and brought the Government of Liberia to its knees when he took on the world largest oil palm conglomerate, Sime Darby.

In Liberia, human rights have allegedly been violated on rubber plantations managed from Switzerland. Instead of taking up mediation offers, the Socfin group prefers to act against its critics.

Latest research conducted by the Public Trust Media Group on SOCFIN rubber plantations (SRC and LAC) has documented gross human rights violations.