To protect rights of host communities: PhD researcher recommends law reforms for foreign investors.

The candidate, Frankline Nyiloh Bavoh, who defended the thesis from the Dschang School of Law and Political Science. He focused his research on: “Foreign Direct Investment and the Respect for Human Rights in Cameroon”.

Dr Bavoh who scored an excellent grade was supervised by Associate Professor of Law, Mbifi Richard. He defended his thesis before a panel of judges made up of renowned academics.

In an eloquent presentation, the candidate told the jury that despite the panoply of laws existing in the country, the violation of human rights by Foreign Direct Investors, FDI, is still on a constant rise.

While advancing a series of recommendations, Dr Bavoh insisted that sectorial laws should reflect human rights provisions that protect host communities.

He said the state should encourage pro-bono legal aid services, before urging government to adopt a right-based approach.

While stating the need for adequate compensations to be provided to affected victims, Dr Bavoh warned against corporate bodies interfering in the land rights of the indigenous population.

Earlier in presenting his findings, Dr Bavoh had cited the rapid increase of environmental degradation in the Eastern parts of the country as well as constant violations and seizures of native lands.

The legal expert had also mentioned poor and deplorable living conditions, acute environmental pollution or rivers and portable water sources, exposure to toxic and hazardous chemicals such as mercury and poor infrastructural development.

In concluding, the candidate told the jury that the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment, FDI and human rights remains a controversial topic in the international political economy literature. 

The Court Registry Administrator explained that the interaction between foreign direct investment and human rights is without doubt one of the most contentious issues surrounding the contemporary regulation of FDI. 

Frankline Bavoh in a nutshell

Frankline Nyiloh Bavoh was born on March 26, 1980, in Wum, Menchum Division of the North West Region. He completed his early education at Government School Wum, earning his First School Leaving Certificate, FSLC in 1992. 

He pursued secondary education at GBHS Nkongsamba, where he obtained the GCE Ordinary Level in 1997 and the GCE Advanced Level in 2001.

Bavoh continued his academic journey at the University of Buea, where he graduated with an LLB (Hons) in Common Law in 2005. 

In 2006, he earned a Maitrise in Business Law from the University of Yaoundé II Soa, followed by a diploma from the National School of Administration and Magistracy, ENAM in the Judicial Division, Cycle "B" in 2007.

He further advanced his education at the University of Dschang, earning an LL.M (Hons) in Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, and International Criminal Law in 2016 and an LL.M (Hons) in International Trade and Investment Law in 2020. 

Bavoh did his PhD studies at the University of Dschang, where he focused on topics related to international trade law and human rights.

His journey to becoming a legal expert 

Frankline Nyiloh Bavoh began his legal career in 2010 as a support staff at the Legal Department of Mezam. In 2012, he was appointed as Chief of Bureau for Penalty Execution at the Legal Department of Bali, where he served until 2015. 

Following this, Bavoh took on roles as Chief of Service for Administration and Finance and later Chief of Service for Judicial Affairs at the Legal Department of Mezam.

Bavoh has played a significant role in judicial administration, advocating for legal reforms and participating in various initiatives to address gender-based violence, children’s rights, and housing disputes in the North West Region.

Bavoh has undergone significant professional training and development, contributing to his expertise in legal and humanitarian fields. 

In addition, Bavoh completed several leadership and management programs, including project management and human resources management diplomas from the Knowledge Fountain Leadership Academy, KFLA, Nigeria.

Throughout his career, Frankline Nyiloh Bavoh has held numerous leadership positions, both within and outside his professional sphere. 

He is currently serving as President of the North West Court Registry Association, CERGRIM.

He also served as Assistant Secretary General of the Association of Ex-ENAM Students, APENAM. He was Secretary General of the Law Society, University of Buea from 2002-2004.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3288 of Tuesday November 12, 2024