UN rights chief urges gov’t to facilitate humanitarian access to NW, SW.

He made the plea last week. This was at the end of a three-day official visit to Cameroon which ran from August 5-7. Turk was in the country at the invitation of President Paul Biya. 

During his stay, the UN rights chief was received in audience by the Prime Minister, Head of Government, Dr Chief Joseph Dion Ngute. 

Turk also held talks with other members of government including the Minister of External Relations, Mbella Mbella; Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seal, Laurent Esso; Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defence, Joseph Beti Assomo; and the Delegate General of National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguele.

Other audiences were held with the President of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission, Prof James Mouangue Kobila, members of the diplomatic corps, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, political parties and the UN country team. 

At the end of his visit in the country, the UN rights chief made several pertinent recommendations to the government. 

During a press conference to mark his official visit to the country, Volker Turk underscored the importance of a “victim-centered approach” to guide all efforts to resolve this protracted crisis. 

Turk told pressmen that he has “called on the government to facilitate humanitarian access to areas affected by conflict”.

He went further to mention that: “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”.

Deplores deplorable NW, SW crisis 

According to Turk, one of the most difficult challenges the country was facing remains the situation in the North West and South West Regions. 

The UN rights chief regretted the fact that the conflict has led to serious human rights abuses and violations against the civilian population. 

Turk regretted the fact that 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. 

He added that there have been clashes between separatist groups, other armed groups, and security forces, including the military, leaving thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced. 

Turk revealed that the conflict has denied the right to education to more than 700,000 children. 

According to him, 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 Mondays” by separatist groups, Turk revealed, has prevented children from going to school, people from accessing their livelihoods, at the risk of being shot. He decried this situation stating that “this is unacceptable and should be roundly condemned”.

“No stone should be left unturned in efforts to silence the guns and bring this untenable crisis to an end – through dialogue with those who have grievances and demands, through accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses…,” Turk said. 

Urges gov’t to crack down on perpetrators 

The UN rights chief said that he has received assurances from the government to change the narrative. 

“The fight against impunity is absolutely key, regardless of the affiliation of the perpetrators as it will go a long way in building confidence between citizens and the State,” he said. 

Turk added that: “Where state security forces have been implicated in violations, it is essential that investigations take place independently, promptly and transparently, and perpetrators are brought to justice, alongside provision of protection for victims and witnesses”. 

Lauds gov’t for new office 

Turk thanked the government for providing the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa, UNCHRD-CA, with a new headquarters. The new office is located in the Bastos neighbourhood in Yaounde.

This donation is in addition to the headquarters agreement granted to the Centre, but also to Cameroon’s support for the strengthening of the OHCHR Regional Office in Central Africa notably with a General Assembly resolution increasing the regular budget for staff posts and other expenditure items, thus enabling an increase in OHCHR activities in the region.

The new headquarters is a five-storey building with parking for 14 vehicles and five conference rooms to host workshops and meetings for the Centre’s various target groups and partners. 

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several members of government, representatives of the two chambers of parliament, the diplomatic corps and civil society organisations. 

“I am grateful to the government for providing larger premises which I was able to inaugurate today for my regional office in Yaoundé. The cooperation and support of the authorities and the international community will allow the UN Human Rights Office to strengthen its work in the region,” Turk said. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3199 of Wednesday August 14, 2024