Cameroon, UN strategise to enhance human rights issues, peace….

The two institutions kick-started the fresh planning efforts during an audience granted by the Chairperson of CHRC, Prof Mouange Kobila, to the High Commissioner of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Volker Türk. 

The meeting was held at the head office of the human rights commission in Yaounde.

Speaking to pressmen in an interview after the audience, the UN human rights chief said discussions between him and the Cameroonian rights commission centered on generally improving human rights activities in Cameroon like it is the case in other parts of the world. 

Volker Türk said the two institutions notably focused on penning fresh partnerships and cooperation that will strategically boost the activities of the two structures.

“We discussed about the work that the human rights commission in Cameroon is doing. We, among others, talked about partnerships and cooperation between the commission and my office on several topics,” the UN agency chief stated.

Strategising on acquiring more resources to boost activities

Volker Türk told the pressmen that he is a friend to Cameroon and fully has interest in the country. 

He noted that the interest, among others, justifies the reason his office and the Cameroon right commission also decisively talked on how to get more resources, in a bid to continuously boost the activities of the CHRC and those of the UN agency. 

“I am a friend to Cameroon. I have interest in what is happening in the country. I had a chance to meet with authorities, civil society organisations. It is clear that we need more resources and that is something that is needed everywhere and always and in whatever country,” the UN official stated. 

He promised to continue having discussions with Cameroonian authorities to, among other things, further look at what has been achieved in the domain of human rights activities in Cameroon, the challenges faced in the process and several other areas requiring intervention.

Prof Mouangue Kobila did not comment at the end of the meeting. But in a post on the official Facebook page of the Cameroon human rights institution, the structure also confirmed that the chairperson and the UN agency, among others things, talked on issues relating to issues of peace, and security. 

Tuesday’s audience, also attended by the Interim Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cameroon, Coulibaly Siaka, came through as part of a two-day visit by the UN human rights agency chief to Cameroon. The visit flagged off on Tuesday August 6 and ended yesterday Wednesday August 7.

Volke Türk also had talks with several Cameroonian stakeholders including civil society organisation leaders and senior government and state authorities.  Top among them was the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Chief Dr Joseph Dion Ngute. 

The senior UN official was, as part of visit, also expected to inaugurate the new premises of the United Nations Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa in Yaounde yesterday evening. 

The recent visit is Volke Türk’s first to Cameroon since he became the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2022. His predecessor visited Cameroon in May 2019.

Restating CHRC’s results-oriented efforts

Volke Türk’s audience with the Chairperson CHRC is considered a bold statement on the concern that the global agency has for Cameroon as a country. 

Besides the overall consideration, Tuesday’s meeting was also seen as a strong step that fully restates CHRC’s results-oriented and applauded efforts aimed at continuously improving the respect of and promotion of human rights.

Over the years, CHRC has made unmatched strides in endlessly bettering the human rights situation in Cameroon. 

Tuesday’s visit came barely three months after the CHRC’s chairperson granted an audience to the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Central Africa, Abdou Abarry, on May 29. 

During the audience, which was also attended by the Interim Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Cameroon, Coulibaly Siaka, the authorities notably discussed on how to strengthen the ties between the UN System and CHRC. 

The two institutions also evaluated the efforts that CHRC has made in crisis-hir regions in Cameroon including those aimed at influencing the disarmament and the deradicalisation of terrorists and strides aimed at ensuring the release of “non-violent prisoners”.  

This Story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3193 of Thursday August 08, 2024