Sierra Leone: CSOs criticise conviction of land rights activists | Land Portal

By: APA
Date: February 12th 2016
Source: Star Africa.com

A coalition of civil society activists have condemned the verdict against a group of land rights activists jailed last week after confrontation with a French agri-business firm over land ownership.

The men, who are part of the Malen Land Owners Association (MALOA), were jailed for a maximum of five months after a protracted trial for destroying palm trees belonging toSocfin.

MALOA has been at loggerheads with Socfin over a land agreement with the government, which the locals say is unfair. Years of protests culminated into the destruction in 2014 of some palm trees.

The convicts were given an alternative fine of US$35, 000, failure of which they should go to jail. They have been in prison since over a week since the verdict.

“The verdict is one of the gravest human rights violations of our time,” said Ibrahim Tommy, Executive Director of the Center of Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL).

CARL is one of several CSOs championing efforts to raise the fines.

Another organisation involved is Green Scenery, whose head, Joseph Randhall, said the court’s verdict justified the struggle of the community all along.

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