The Customary Land Rights Act, 2022 (Sierra Leone)

The Customary Land Rights Act 2022 was passed in Parliament on 2nd and 8th of August 2022 and signed by the President on 6th and 8th of September 2022.

This Act explicitly provides for the protection of customary land rights, the elimination of discrimination under customary law, and the management and administration of land subject to customary law. In particular, this law guarantees women’s equal rights and access to land and bans industrial development (mining, plantations, farming, and housing) in protected, conserved or ecologically sensitive areas (wetlands, wildlife habitats, steep slopes and old growth or virgin forests). This Act also establishes guidelines on Investor-Induced Displacement and Resettlement; it requires investors to obtain free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of adult male and female members of the affected community in case such investment is needed over customary lands.

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Uploaded on: Nov 17, 2022
Last Updated: Dec 12, 2022
Issues: Community / Customary Land Rights, Environmental Justice, Governance, Accountability & Transparency, Indigenous Peoples' Rights, Right to Information, Traditional / Customary Justice Tool Type: Laws, Policies & Legal Analysis Target Population: Rural Languages: English Regions: Sierra Leone