Human rights defenders sound alarm over Cameroon’s worsening rights situation.

In a press briefing at the network’s headquarters in Douala on August 20, 2024, REDHAC’s Executive Director, Dr Maiximiliene Ngo Mbe, and human rights advocate, Barrister Tamfu Richard, highlighted several cases of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances.

The case of vocal anti-Biya regime activist, Steve Akam, alias Ramon COTTA, who was arrested in Gabon, transferred to Cameroon and detained incommunicado was brought to the fore.

REAHAC said holding him incommunicado is “in violation of the United Nations Convention of 10 December 1984 on the fight against torture, cruel and other inhuman or degrading treatment and the Geneva Convention on refugees and its subsequent protocol”. 

The human right advocates said that a lawyer was sent to Yaounde to search for his place of detention, but no officer or investigator was willing to provide information.

REDHAC described attempts to intimidate and arrest human rights defenders and democracy activists as “inadmissible, illegal, and void of any legal basis”, citing article 4 of the Cameroonian penal code, which provides for the penalty of nullity.

The network also expressed concern over the five specific cases, including the intimidation and attempted arbitrary arrest of Dr Aristide Mono and Mr Valère Bessala, who were simply exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression. 

The organisation emphasised that Cameroon is a signatory to several international instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

REDHAC has denounced these actions as flagrant violations of national, regional, and international maneuvers to sow disorder and unclear presidential elections. 

In the same light, she condemned the infringement of freedom of the press and access to information, citing the intimidation, attempted arrest, and illegal arrest of journalists from private television, radio, and newspapers.

A press release from the National Communication Council, CNC dated August 8, 2024, listed five media outlets that were suspended or warned. 

REDHAC reminded the CNC that “the 2019 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in its articles 19 to 2 of the United Nations guarantee freedom of the press and access to information” and hence, condemns with the utmost energy the muzzling of the press and all other reprisals perpetrated by the authorities via the CNC.

REDHAC didn’t fail to mention the Glencore scandal, which involves bribery and corruption. The scandal sparked widespread outrage, with REDHAC supporting Barrister Akere Muna’s efforts to expose the truth. 

The organisation has announced plans to demonstrate in London and Douala on September 10 to expose the truth about the Glencore financial scandal, which has tarnished Cameroon’s image internationally and impoverished thousands of citizens, and demand accountability.

Cameroonian authorities are urged to respect human rights, ensure the rule of law, and protect democratic institutions. REDHAC has pledged to continue fighting for a Cameroon where human rights are upheld and the voices of citizens are heard.

Meantime, the Central African Network for Human Rights Defenders, REDHAC urged all victims to channel their summons to its follow-up lawyers, vowing to continue fighting for their rights. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3211 of Tuesday August 27, 2024