MONROVIA — The challenges, threats, barriers and risks faced, especially by grassroots environmental, land and human rights defenders in West Africa, is the focus of a three-day regional conference from 29 – 31 March 2021. About 300international, regional and local community actors gathered in avirtual conference to elevate the plight of frontline grassroot defenders, with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa, Commissioner Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, delivering the keynote address. While describing local people as “first defenders in isolated communities,” Commissioner Lumbu said the conference presents an opportunity for participants, especially those working in the field as frontline human rights defenders to network for protection of the environment and local communities. Participants are expected to validate a Baseline Assessment Report conducted in all West Africa countries and Equatorial Guinea. Earlier in his welcome and introductory statement, the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the MRU SCO Platform, Dr. Michel Yoboue corroborated the assertion by the AU Commissioner regarding the lack of data on the attacks on grassroot frontline defenders.
