Editorial: UN human rights chief speaks truth to power in Yaounde [II].

If the August visitor was diplomatic in his presentation in IRIC, he was frank at the inauguration of the Yaounde office where he "welcomed" guests and spoke truth to power.

Excerpts of his outing, like the Yoruba maxim says, is testimony that "Only a good friend tells you your mouth smells": 

“The electoral process in Cameroon, leading up to the 2025 and 2026 elections, is a key opportunity to reinforce political inclusiveness and facilitate the participation of all segments of society, including young people, women, populations in conflict-affected areas, displaced people and people with disabilities, to ensure the free expression of political opinions. 

To make sure the space is protected for robust discussion and debate on how to tackle the challenges together, as a country,” he said.

“Among the most difficult challenges are the three simultaneous security crises in different parts of Cameroon: the situation in the North West and South West Regions, with ongoing serious human rights abuses and violations against the civilian population; the impact of the attacks by Boko Haram-affiliated and splinter groups in the Far North Region; and the spillover effects of the crisis in the Central African Republic in the east,” he added. 

Cameroon is an important refugee hosting country. As of June, this year, about one million people were also internally displaced in Cameroon. 

Of this figure, a total of 3.4 million needed humanitarian assistance, out of a population of 28 million. 

The international community needs to step up to ensure the humanitarian needs are adequately funded.

In the North West and South West Regions, what began as peaceful protests in 2016 has turned into a major crisis for the civilian population, with clashes between separatist groups, other armed groups, and security forces, including the military; leaving thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and the denial of the right to education to more than 700,000 children. 

Reports continue to emerge of human rights violations and abuses, including unlawful killings, ill-treatment and torture, kidnappings for ransom, and restrictions on freedom of movement. 

The imposition of “lockdown days” by separatist groups, preventing children from going to school, people from accessing their livelihoods, at the risk of being shot, is unacceptable and should be roundly condemned.

No stone should be left unturned in efforts to silence the guns and bring the untenable crisis to an end.

This should be done through dialogue with those who have grievances and demands, through accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, and through reconciliation measures, including an evaluation of existing Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) processes for certain members of armed groups.

“Regrettably, there is persistent impunity for grave violations. The fight against impunity is absolutely key; regardless of the affiliation of the perpetrators.

 This is because it will go a long way in building confidence between citizens and the State. Where State security forces have been implicated in violations, it is essential that investigations take place independently, promptly and transparently, and perpetrators brought to justice, alongside provision of protection for victims and witnesses. I was given assurances by the government in this regard,” Volker Türk said. 

A victim-centered approach must guide all efforts to resolve this protracted crisis, and I have called on the government to facilitate humanitarian access to areas affected by conflict. I have also urged the government to revise the 2014 anti-terrorism law in this regard. My office is ready to provide advice and assistance. I have asked the authorities to facilitate an assessment mission by a team of UN human rights officers to the North West and South West Regions, to assess progress following the recommendations of our report in 2019, and conduct further evaluation of the situation. In my meetings with civil society, we discussed serious concerns over restrictions on the freedom of expression and association and the right to peaceful assembly, and the need to ensure better protection of human rights defenders,” Volker Türk added. 

He went on to add that: “The period leading up to elections is always a particularly sensitive one, in all countries in the world. I called on political parties across the spectrum, to commit publicly to the human rights cause, notably to ensure the rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly will be defended in the context of the 2025 and 2026 elections”.

Civil society organisations and journalists need to be able to carry out essential monitoring and reporting in the pre-electoral context, alongside the Cameroon National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms, including with regard to countering hate speech and disinformation; without intimidation or fear of reprisal. 

Action on emblematic legal proceedings would help send clear messages against impunity and serve to prevent further violations.

Inequalities and unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, linguistic origin, sexual orientation, and other grounds need to be eliminated.

Cameroon clearly has the potential to be a leader in sustainable development, including by starting to adopt a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and ensuring sufficient resources in the national budget for climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

The Guardian Post is in agreement with the UN Chief that Cameroon has the "potential to be a leader" in the Subregion and why not Africa. But it needs to provide an open and unrestricted space for freedom and truth.

The UN commissioner has noted a spike of impunity and the conflicts in the North West and South West Regions that has displaced over a million people and sent some 700,000 youth out of school. 

In his speech, he never called separatist fighters "terrorists" and recommended "inclusive dialogue, silencing of the guns and a review of the anti-terrorism law". 

Will the CPDM government heed  his friendly advice, especially as Hon Philemon Yang chairs the United Nations General Assembly later this year?

The Guardian Post wishes President Paul Biya should provide a positive answer for the concerns raised from an independent and articulate UN personality.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3198 of Tuesday August 13, 2024