NW Public Independent Conciliator urges councils to respect human rights.

The call was made during a two-day capacity building workshop organised by the North West Public Independent Conciliator, PIC.

The workshop on rights-based approach to programming, held Thursday October 26-27, in Bamenda.

It brought together Mayors and Secretaries General from all 35 councils in the Region, plus those of the North West Regional Assembly.

It was chaired by the North West Public Independent Conciliator, Tamfu Simon Fai. Also present were facilitators like Mbah Mbole Pius, Barrister Nchunu Justice, Barrister Tamon Olivia, Ndi Nelson and others.

It focused on educating participants on some basic human rights that they must respect in their communities. Marginalisation, discrimination and gender were called out as some of the areas where many councils have been violating the people's rights. 

Participants during event

Participants were drilled on presentations like introduction to human rights-based approach to programming, the rights-based approach, role of Subdivisional Councils, City Councils and local government in human rights governance, local public administration and governance, management of public finance, among others.

According to the PIC, a survey conducted in 2022 by his office revealed that the population has been accusing councils of violating their rights.

"In two years of operation, the Public Independent Conciliator has discovered, from a survey we conducted in 2022, that the population perceives councils in the North West Region as violators of their rights and freedom. The people also accused councils of gender-based discrimination against women, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and marginalised population," Tamfu said.

Free establishment of civil status documents re-echoed

During the workshop, emphasis was also laid on the issuance of civil status documents like birth, marriage and death certificates.

NW PIC & participants immortalize event

The Public Independent Conciliator told the mayors that these documents are supposed to be issued to the population for free. This adds to the campaign that the office of the PIC has been sensitising the population on.

While saluting some councils like Andek and Ndu, that have already dumbed the habit of collecting money to issue these documents, the PIC equally frowned at those that are still taking money from the population before issuing such documents. 

Tamfu Simon warned that sanctions will follow suit, in case they continue with the bad practice.

"We are educating them to know that this is a violation. We can summon the Mayors here and if it continues, we will publish. I want to assure that publishing a Mayor's name is worse than sanctioning," Tamfu added.

At the end of the event, Mayors and Secretaries General promised to work according to the law and to respect human rights.

According to the Mayor of Benakuma, Ihimbru Solomon, his council is going to improve on the situation, though it has a lot of challenges.

"This situation faces lots of challenges because some users come to the council without declaratory judgements, making it very difficult for the councils," Ihimbru said.