Ending armed conflict in NW, SW: Human rights group recommends sincere mediated dialogue.

This was one of the key recommendations made by the organisation as it presented a bleak picture of the human rights situation in the two restive English-speaking regions and the Far North Region. 

The report was presented to media professionals during a press conference in Buea Tuesday May 7, 2024. 

The first quarter report for 2024 from CHRDA recorded a drop in human rights violation in the North West, South West and Far North Regions in comparison with that of the last quarter for 2023.

"…if you look at the last quarter of the year 2023 and this first quarter, there has been a little drop in the abuses and violations in the North West and South West and Far North Regions of Cameroon,” explained Wirba Beldrine, Assistant Human Officer at CHRDA 

The drop in violations was attributed to the decreased capacity of separatist fighters as well as armed groups to carryout operations. Separatist groups, according to the report, have been weakened considerably, as some communities have ostracised them. 

The report highlighted the case where a separatist fighter was arrested by the community and handed over to the defense and security forces.

Despite the drop, the organisation has called on state defense and security forces and separatist fighters to exercise restraint and desist from committing human rights violations and abuses, especially attacks against civilians and their properties as well as attacks on journalists and human rights defenders. 

In this light, separatist fighters and their leadership were challenged to stop attacks on school infrastructure, teachers, schoolchildren and other academic stake holders, while the Cameroon government was called upon to ensure that non-governmental organisations and international non-governmental organisations to have safe access to places like detention centres without undue restrictions.

Human rights violations and abuses prevalent in the North West and South West regions include; extrajudicial killings, arbitrary and targeted killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, kidnapping, ransom taking, violation of the rights to free movement and association, worship, own and dispose of one's property freely amongst other violations.

In the Far North, Boko Haram insurgents continue to attack and seize civilian property including sheep, goats, cattle, foodstuffs, and money among other properties. 

They destroyed property including both civilian and military equipment. To ensure fairness, the organisation has called on government to speed up judicial proceedings against persons arrested in the context of the conflict ensuring that trials are fair and in accordance with international standards. 

“…The State should be transparent in its reports on the progress of investigations opened against state agents especially accused of committing human rights violations. This will be a prove justice not only being done but justice seen to be done,” read part of the report.

In the Far North Region, CHRDA has recommended that government foster civil military cooperation and increase security measures in the region in order to curb frequent attacks from the Boko Haram militants on the population and educate the population in vigilante measures amongst others.