republic of cameroon joint submission to the un universal …€¦ · · 2017-10-13ngo mbe email:...

Submitted 5 October 2017

SubmissionbyCIVICUS:WorldAllianceforCitizenParticipation,NGOinGeneralConsultativeStatuswithECOSOC

And

RéseauDesDéfenseursDroitsHumainsenAfriqueCentrale(REDHAC)

And

CentreforHumanRightsandDemocracyinAfrica(CHRDA)

RéseauDesDéfenseursDroitsHumainsen

AfriqueCentrale,UPRLead:MmeMaximillieneNgoMbeEmail:

[email protected]:+(237)233426404

Web:http://www.redhac.org/

Republic of Cameroon

Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

30th Session of the UPR Working Group

Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa

CHRDA UPR Lead, Mireille

Tushiminina Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.chrda.org/

CIVICUS:WorldAllianceforCitizenParticipationCIVICUSUPRLEAD:

SusanWildingEmail:[email protected]

Tel:+41227333435Web:www.civicus.org

2

1. Introduction

1.1 CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations (CSOs) and activists dedicated tostrengthening citizen action and civil society around theworld. Founded in 1993,we proudlypromotemarginalisedvoices,especiallyfromtheglobalsouth,andhavemembersinmorethan170countriesthroughouttheworld.

1.2 RéseauDesDéfenseurs Droits Humains en Afrique Centrale (REDHAC) is a network of human

rights defenders and civil society organisations in the Central Africa region. Created in 2007,REDAChasmembers ineightcountries in theregionand itsprimary focus is theprotectionoffundamentalhumanrightsinthesecountries.

1.3 The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) is an independent, non-governmental, apolitical and non-profit making organisation dedicated to the protection andadvancementofhumanrightsandthepromotionofdemocracyasapoliticalcultureinAfrica.

1.4 In this document, CIVICUS, REDHAC and CHRDA examine the Government of Cameroon’s

compliancewith its international human rights obligations to create andmaintain a safe andenabling environment for civil society. Specifically, we analyse Cameroon’s fulfilment of therights to the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression, and unwarrantedrestrictions on human rights defenders (HRDs) since its previous UPR examination during the24thsessionoftheUPRreviewinJuly2013.Tothisend,weassessCameroon’simplementationof recommendations received during the 2ndUPR cycle relating to these issues and provide anumberofspecific,action-orientatedfollow-uprecommendations.

1.5 Duringthe2ndUPRcycle,theGovernmentofCameroonreceived177recommendationsrelating

tocivicspace.Oftheserecommendations,152wereacceptedand25werenoted.Anevaluationofarangeof legalsourcesandhumanrightsdocumentationaddressedinsubsequentsectionsofthissubmissiondemonstratesthattheGovernmentofCameroonhasnotfully implementedall recommendations relating to civil society space. Indeed, theGovernmentofCameroonhasnotfullyimplementedanyofthe152recommendationsitaccepted.

1.6 Wearedeeplyconcernedbyongoingrestrictionsoftherighttothefreedomsofassociationand

peaceful assembly, notably in the Anglophone sections of Cameroon (the Northwest andSouthwestregions),thebanningofCSOsandtheuseofviolencetodispersepeacefulprotests.We express concerns over the arrest and detention of HRDs and activists and the use ofdraconian legislation tocharge them indeeply flawed judicialprocesses.Weexpressconcernsover the ongoing militarisation of the Anglophone regions and the arbitrary arrests anddetentionofHRDsinallpartsofCameroon.

1.7 Wearefurtheralarmedbytheuseofanti-terrorismlegislationandsectionsinthepenalcodeto

charge and sentence journalists arbitrarily. Since Cameroon’s last review in July 2013,restrictions on the freedom of expression have increased,withmore journalists arrested andpersecuted.Thegovernmenthasalsobannedseveralradiostationsforbroadcastinginformation

3

on the crisis in the Anglophone regions and for expressing views that are critical of thegovernment.Seniorgovernmentofficialshave threatened journalistsandprivate radioandTVstations,whiletheauthoritieshaveblockedaccesstotheinternetandsocialmediasites,curbingthefreedomofexpression.

1.8 As a result of these restrictions, the space for civil society in Cameroon is currently rated as

‘repressed’bytheCIVICUSMonitor.1

• Section 2 of this submission examines Cameroon’s implementation of UPRrecommendationsandcompliancewithinternationalhumanrightsstandardsconcerningthefreedomofassociation.

• Section3examinesCameroon’s implementationofUPRrecommendationsandcompliancewithinternationalhumanrightsstandardsrelatedtotheprotectionofHRDsandcivilsocietyactivists.

• Section4examinesCameroon’s implementationofUPRrecommendationsandcompliancewith international human rights standards concerning the freedom of expression,independenceofthemediaandthepersecutionofjournalists.

• Section5examinesCameroon’s implementationofUPRrecommendationsandcompliancewithinternationalhumanrightsstandardsrelatedtothefreedomofpeacefulassembly.

• Section6containsanumberofrecommendationstoaddresstheconcernsraisedunderthe2ndcycleandtoadvancetheimplementationofitsrecommendations.

• Anannex covering the implementationof 2nd cycleUPR recommendations related to civicspacecanbefoundinSection7.

2. Freedomofassociation

2.1 During Cameroon’s examination under the 2nd UPR cycle, the government received eightrecommendations on the right to the freedom of association and creating an enablingenvironmentforCSOs.Amongotherrecommendations,thegovernmentcommittedtoprovideadequate protection toHRDs at risk, particularly those involving the right to the freedoms ofassociation, peaceful assembly and expression. It also committed to strengthen cooperationwiththeUNhumanrightsmechanisms,particularlytheUNSpecialProcedureMandateHolders.The government accepted seven recommendations and noted one relating to the freedomofassociation. However, as evidenced below, the government has failed to take adequatemeasures to realisemanyof these recommendations, andhasnot fully implementanyof theeightrecommendations.

2.2 TheConstitutionofCameroonguaranteestherighttothefreedomofassociation.ThePreambleof the Constitution states that the freedoms of communication, expression, assembly,associationandtradeunionism,aswellastherighttostrike,shallbeguaranteedandfixedbylaw.2Moreover,article22oftheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR),towhichCameroonisastateparty,alsoguaranteesthefreedomofassociation.However,despite

1CIVICUSMonitor:Cameroon,accessed21September2017.2ConstitutionoftheRepublicofCameroon,accessed26August2017.

4

thesecommitments,thegovernmenthastargetedCSOs,andhasbannedsomefromoperating,onthebasisoftheirhumanrightsactivities.

2.3 AssociationallifeinCameroonisregulatedbytheFreedomofAssociationLawNo.90/053of19

December1990.3Thelawprovidesforadualsystemofestablishingassociations.Theseincludean“authorisationsystem”forforeignandreligiousassociationsanda“declarationsystem”forall other associations. Under the authorisation system, an association can only carry outactivities in Cameroon after receiving authorisation from the Minister of TerritorialAdministration, based on recommendations from the Minister of External Relations, whoreceivesapplicationsforregistration.Section4ofthelawstatesthatassociationsthatoperatecontrary to the constitutionor the lawonpublic policy, or that undermine security unity andnationalintegration,shallbedeclared“nullandvoid.”Itnotesthattheofficesofanyassociationdeclarednullandvoidwillbeshutdownanditsmemberspreventedfromhavingmeetings,evenwhenanappealagainstthedecisiontoclosetheassociationispending.

2.4 The law empowers theMinister of Territorial Administration andDecentralisation to suspend

associationsforuptothreemonthsontherecommendationofaSeniorDivisionalOfficer(SDO)if the association is deemed to have disturbed public order. The minister can also dissolveassociations that depart from their original objectives or that are deemed seriously tounderminestatesecurity.Underthedeclarationsystem,anassociationcanonlyberecognisedasalegalentityafterdeclaringitsformationandprovidingtwocopiesofitsconstitutiontothedivisional officer of the area where it is headquartered. The law endows empowersadministrativeofficials,includingSDOs,withbroaddiscretiontointerpretandwilfullymisuseitsprovisions. Associations that call for reforms and highlight issues considered sensitive by thegovernment have been banned and declared null and void under the pretext that theyunderminesecurityandnationalintegration.

2.5 Forexample,on17January2017,theMinisterofTerritorialAdministrationandDecentralisation

issued an order banning the activities of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium(CACSC).4ThedirectivefromtheministerdeclaredtheregistrationofCACSCtobenullandvoid,statingthatitactedcontrarytotheprovisionsoftheconstitutionandjeopardisedstatesecurity.Following protests by teachers and lawyers in the Southwest and Northwest regions, whichstarted inOctober 2016, CACSC,whosememberswere largely teachers’ and lawyers’ unions,citizens and civil society groups, was created to enhance dialogue with government.5 ThegovernmentproceededtoarrestthePresidentandSecretaryGeneralofCACSC(see3.5below),whilemostofitsmembersfledthecountrytoavoidpersecutionon17January2017.6

3TemngahJosephNyambo,‘ThelegalframeworkforcivilsocietyandsocialmovementsinCameroon’,in‘CivilsocietyandthesearchfordevelopmentalternativesinCameroon’,CouncilfortheDevelopmentofSocialScienceResearchinAfrica(CODESRIA),2008.4‘TheGovernmentJustBannedSCNCandConsortium’,TheStandardTribune,17January2017,accessed26August2017.5CameroonAnglophoneCivilSocietyConsortium,accessed26August2017.6‘BanonConsortium,SCNC:Activistsgoundergroundasleadersarearrested’,EdenNewspaper,accessed26August2017.

5

2.6 On 14 June 2014, eight unidentified people armed with guns broke into the offices of theNetworkofHumanRightsDefendersinCentralAfrica(RéseaudesDéfenseursDroitsHumainsenAfrique Centrale, REDHAC) in the city of Douala. The intruders threatened the organisation’ssecurity guard and bound him before breaking into the offices. REDHAC offices have beenbroken into in the past and the pattern is that documents containing sensitive human rightsinformationandexternaldrivesarestolenwhileotherexpensiveequipment is leftuntouched.On 2 June 2013, after meetings between civil society and the US ambassador to Cameroon,unidentifiedintrudersalsobrokeintoREDHACofficesandstoledocumentsandequipment.Inallcases the incidents were reported to the police but no conclusive investigations wereundertaken.AsidefromthefactthattheinformationandequipmentstolenaffectthefinancesofREDHACanditsabilitytodeliverhumanrightsreports,staffmembershavebeencompelledtoself-censortoavoidfutureattacks.

3. Harassment, intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders and civil societyactivists

3.1 Under Cameroon’s previousUPR examination, the government received 15 recommendations

on the protection of HRDs and civil society representatives. The government committed toseveralrelevantrecommendations, includingmakingeveryeffortto investigatefullyallthreatsand attacks against HRDs and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The government alsocommitted to provide active and immediate protection to HRDs. Of the recommendationsreceived, 10 were accepted and five were noted. However, as examined in this section, thegovernment has failed to act on these recommendations effectively, and has not fullyimplementedany.

3.2 Article12oftheUNDeclarationonHumanRightsDefendersmandatesstatestotakenecessarymeasures to ensure protection to HRDs. The ICCPR further guarantees the freedoms ofexpression,associationandassembly.However,inspiteoftheseprotections,HRDsareroutinelythreatened and the government has neither taken adequate measures to protect them norbroughtperpetratorstojustice.

3.3 On4May 2017,HRDsAbuePhilip Kpwe, CyprianAzong, Bernard Fuh andDivineBiamewerereleasedonbailbytheAppealsCourtintheNorthwestregionafterspendingayearindetentionforpromotingenvironmentalrightsandadvocatingagainstlandgrabbingbyprivateenterprises.Theywerearrestedon22April 2016,detainedat theBamendacentralprisonandaccusedofvandalismandarson.7AllfouractivistsaremembersoftheEsuYouthDevelopmentAssociation,anenvironmentalandlandrightsCSO.TheyhavebeentargetedbywealthybusinessleaderBabaAhmadou Danpullo, who is affiliated with the Central Executive Committee of the rulingCameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party.8Mr Danpullo has been accused byseveral CSOs and HRDs of expropriating community lands for commercial ventures. Formorethan three decades, activists in Esu communities have been advocating against the forceful

7‘Arbitrarydetention,administrativeandjudicialharassment’,REDHAC,18July2016,accessed5September2017.8‘Cameroon:judicialharassmentofEsuCommunityleadersincludingninemembersofEYDA’,InternationalFederationforHumanRights,4August2016,accessed5September2017.

6

takeoveroftheirlandbyMrDanpullo.Previously,on9July2015,AbuePhilipKpweandseveralotheryouthactivistswerearrestedanddetainedforactingagainstapronouncementmadebythe authorities preventing them from gaining access to community land. They were onlyreleasedwhenmembersofEsucommunitiesorganisedpeacefulprotests.

3.4 On23March 2017,HRD Jan Capellewas arrested and detained for promoting environmental

rights andorganic farming and advocating against land grabbing in theNorthwest region.9MrCapelleisthefounderofOrganicFarmingforGorillas(OFFGO),aCSOthatworkstoprotecttheenvironmentandgorillasinMbengwi,intheNorthwestregion.OFFGOhasoftenbeentargetedby the authorities and businesspeople. Its members have been threatened, intimidated andsubjected to unwarranted judicial persecution by the authorities. On 17 May 2017, VincentAwazi,amemberofOFFGO,wasaskedtoreporttotheCourtofFirstInstanceinMbengwi,butwasnotgivenanyreasonsastowhyhewassummonedandthejudgedidnotarriveatthecourtduringthehearing.10

3.5 On17January2017,HRDsFelixAgborBallaandFontemNebawereabductedbysecurityforces

inBuea,Southwestregion,anddetainedattheKondenguicentralprisoninthecapital,Yaoundé.FelixAgborBallisPresidentofCACSCandFontemistheorganisation’sSecretaryGeneral.11TheirarrestswerefollowedbythearrestofmediaactivistManchoBibixyandHRDPaulAbineAyah,whoweredetainedattheKondenguiCentralPrisonandtheSecretariatofStateforDefenceinYaoundérespectively.ThreeoftheHRDs-FelixAgbor,ManchoBibixyandFontemNeba-werecharged with terrorism, rebellion against the state, incitement of violence and breach of theconstitution. Theywere charged under the Law on the Suppression of Acts of Terrorism andunderthepenalcode(see4.3and4.5below).PaulAbineAyahwasnotformallychargedbutwasheldinsolitaryconfinement.12Thethreeweresummonedtoamilitarycourtfourtimes,withthejudgeadjourningthecaseaftereachappearance.13

3.6 More than ahundredactivists and citizenshavealsobeendetainedat theKondenguiCentral

prison for participating in protests condemning the marginalisation of Cameroonians ofAnglophone origin and calling for reforms. Several activists have fled the country to avoidpersecution and the government has effectively militarised the Southwest and Northwestregions as security forces continue to arrest and detain those suspected of participating inprotestsorganisedbyCACSC.InAugust2017PresidentPaulBiyagrantedamnestytoFelixAgborBalla, FontemNeba, Paul AbineAyah and several other activists detained, butManchoBibixyand many more remain in detention.14 In addition, human rights lawyer Academy Walter

9‘Saynotoharassment’,OFFGO,accessed26August2017.10‘LandgrabbinginMbengwi’,OFFGO,accessed5September2017.11‘Journalistsandactivistsremainindetentiononterrorismcharges’,CIVICUSMonitor,1August2017,accessed5September,2017.12‘TheLawSocietyofUpperCanadaexpressesgraveconcernaboutthearrestanddetentionoflawyerFelixAgborBallainCameroon’,LawSocietyofUpperCanada,accessed28August2017.13‘TopCameroonJudgearrestedamidcivilsocietyclampdown’,AfricaReview,22January2017,accessed28August2017.14‘AgborBalla,OthersBackinCourtTodayforReleaseProcedures:BenMuna’,CameroonJournal,31August2017,accessed5September2017.

7

Tabikamwas arrestedon27 February 2017 and chargedwith acts of terrorismandhostilitiestowardsthehomeland.Hewasreleasedon19September2017.

3.7 On3November2015,HRDNasakoBesingiwasfoundguiltyofdefamationandpublishingfalseinformationbyacourtinMundembaintheSouthwestregion.Thecaseagainsthimwasbroughtby SG Sustainable Oils Cameroon (SGSOC), a subsidiary of US-based Herakles Farms, after hechallenged a project by SGSOC to set up palm plantations for the production of oil, on thegroundsthatthisthreatensthenaturalresourcesandlivelihoodofcitizens.15MrBesingiisheadofStruggletoEconomisetheFutureEnvironment(SEFE),anenvironmentalrightsCSObasedinMundemba. He has been a victim of judicial harassment in the past and has been physicallyassaultedbyunidentifiedindividualsoverhiscampaignsonenvironmentalrights.16Thepremisesof SEFEhavebeen raidedby security andmembersprevented fromholdingpeaceful protestsagainsttheuseofcommunitylandsforpalmplantations.

3.8 On 15 September 2015, HRD Jean Marc Bikoko and other activists were arrested whileparticipating in a workshop commemorating the International Day of Democracy. 17 TheworkshopwasheldattheYaoundéSportsArenaunderthethemeof‘electoralgovernanceanddemocraticchange’.Duringthearrests,securityforcesseizedequipmentusedbyjournalists.MrBikokoisheadofthecivilsocietymovementDynamiqueCitoyenne,anetworkof150CSOs.Thefollowingday,threefurtherDynamiqueCitoyennememberswerearrested.18

3.9 On 13 June 2015 intruders broke into the home of HRD Maximilliene Ngo Mbe, Director of

REDHAC.Theintrudersstoledocuments,externalharddrives,alaptopandpamphletsoncrimeandhumanrights in theCentralAfrican region.Before that,on1March2015,presentersandguestsona TV showaccusedMsMbeof allowingherself tobe “manipulated”by FrenchandAmericanofficialsinherhumanrightsactivities.TheythreatenedherwithdeathandhintedthattheywouldburndowntheREDHACoffices.

3.10 HRDMusa Usman Ndamba has been subjected to unwarranted judicial persecution. He waschargedwithpropagationoffalseinformationanddefamationinacasebroughtagainsthimbyBabaAhmadouDanpullo.Afterappearingincourtmorethan20times,thecasewasdismissedinMay 2014.19The defamation charge was reinstated a few months later, but the case wasadjournedonseveraloccasionsasMrNdamba’saccuserfailedtoappearincourt.MrNdambaisVicePresidentoftheMbororoSocialandCulturalDevelopmentAssociation(MBOSCUDA),aCSOthatcampaignsfortherightsofCameroon’sMbororocommunity.MBOSCUDAhighlightshumanrights violations committed by the government and businesses, including land grabbing, the

15‘ChallengingyearendsinhopeforCameroonianenvironmentalactivist’,GreenpeaceInternational,19December2012,accessed5September,2017.16‘EnvironmentalistsinCameroonneedyoursupport’,RainforestRescue,accessed5September2017.17‘Cameroun:l’activisteJean-MarcBikokoarrêtéettoujoursdétenuàYaoundé’,JeuneAfrique,16September2015,accessed5September2017.18‘Cameroon:Ceasetheclampdownoncivilsociety’,CIVICUS,28October2015,accessed5September2017.19‘StruggleforMbororolandrightsinCamerooncontinuesdespitepersecution’,LandRightsNow,24August2015,accessed5September2017.

8

degradation of the environment and collusion between state and non-state actors tocommercialisecommunitylands.20

4. Freedomofexpression,independenceofthemediaandattacksonjournalists

4.1 Underthe2ndUPRcycle,thegovernmentreceived12recommendationsrelatingtothefreedomof expression, independence of the media and attacks on journalists. For example, thegovernmentpledgedtotakeeveryefforttoinvestigatefullyallthreatsandattacksagainstrightsdefendersand journalistsandbringperpetrators to justice.Of therecommendationsreceived,sevenwere accepted and fivewerenoted.However, as discussedbelow, the governmentdidnot take effective measures to implement these recommendations, and has not fullyimplementedanyofthem.

4.2 Article 19 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to the freedom of expression and opinion. ThePreamble of the Constitution of Cameroon also guarantees the right to the freedom ofexpression.Itstatesthatthefreedomsofcommunication,expression,association,assemblyandfreedom of the press, as well as trade unionism and the right to strike, shall be guaranteedundertheconditionsfixedbylaw.21

4.3 InDecember2014,thegovernmentofCameroonpassedtheLawontheSuppressionofActsof

Terrorism(No.2014/28of12/13/2015)inresponsetoariseinterroristattacksbyBokoHaramin the north of Cameroon. The law has been used to target journalists, who have beenprosecutedandsentencedinmilitarycourts.Thedefinitionofactsofterrorismunderthelawisbroad and overly vague, giving the authoritieswide powers to target journalists and activistswhoarecriticalofthegovernment.Accordingtothelaw,actsofterrorismincludethedisruptionofthenationalfunctioningofpublicservicesandthedeliveryofservicestothepublictocreateacrisissituationamongthepublic.

4.4 In addition, the law maintains provisions on defamation that have been used to arrest and

sentencejournalists(see4.7below).Section9ofthelawstipulatespenaltiesforthosedeemedto have made statements considered defamatory by the authorities. It states that “whoevermakes a false statement of a defamatory nature to an administrative or judicial authoritypursuanttoSection7and16,shallbepunishedwithimprisonmentoftwentyyears.”Inaddition,Section7and16ofthelawseemtocontradicteachother,meaningthattheirinterpretationwillbebasedonthediscretionoftheauthorities.Forinstance,Section7notesthatperpetratorsorco-perpetratorswhohelptostopanactofterrorwillbesentencedto10or20yearsinprison.22Section 16 notes however that the authorities will waive persecution for persons who, afteragreeing to commit an act of terror, report to public officials, prevent the act from beingcommitted, or identify co-offenders before the act is committed.23 Section 11 of the lawempowerstheauthoritiestoholdsuspectsincustodyindefinitely.Itnotesthatthedurationofremandincustodyshallbe15days,renewableupontheauthorisationofthestateprosecutor.

20‘MbororoSocialandCulturalDevelopmentAssociation(MBOSCUDA)’,InternationalLandCoalition,accessed5September2017.21ConstitutionoftheRepublicofCameroon,op.cit..22‘LawontheSuppressionofActsofTerrorisminCameroon’,accessed2September,2017.23Ibid.

9

4.5 Sectionsofthepenalcodehavealsobeenuseddisproportionatelytotargetjournalists.Section

107makes itacriminaloffence if citizens fail to informtheauthoritiesaboutanyactivity that“injures” the defence of the nation. Its states that “any citizenwho in time of peace fails toinformthedefence,administrativeorlegalauthorities,sosoonashecomestoknowofit,ofanyactivity liableto injurethedefenceofthenationshallbepunishedasunderthe last foregoingsection.”24According toSection305, those foundguiltyofdefamationare liable toa fineof2millionCFAFrancs(approximatelyUS$3,700)orbetweensixdaysandsixmonthsimprisonment.Section 305 (2) specifically targets journalists and themedia as it states that “these penaltiesshallequallyapplytopersonsguiltyofdefamation intheprintandaudio-visualmediawithoutprejudicetotherightofreplyandtotheobligationofpubliccorrections.”25

4.6 The National Communications Council (CNC) is Cameroon’s media regulator, created in 1991withpowerstoarbitrateon libelanddefamation. In2012PresidentPaulBiyapassedadecreeauthorisingtheCouncil to imposesanctionsonmediaoutlets.CNCmembersareappointedbythePresident and their independencehasoftenbeen called intoquestion, as theCouncil hasimposedbansonprivatenewspapersandthreatenedjournalistsandmediahousesthatreportonsensitive issues. In January2017, theauthoritiessuspendedprivateradiostationRadioHotCocoa, accusing the station of inciting disorder.26The suspensionwas preceded by amessagefrom theMinistryofCommunications inDecember2016 thatwarnedall private radioandTVstationsaboutbroadcasting informationoncivicspacerestrictionsandhumanrightsviolationsintheAnglophoneregionsofCameroon.

4.7 On24April2017,amilitarycourtsentencedjournalistAhmedAbbato10years inprisonafter

hewasconvictedof“failingtodenounceterrorism”underthelawontheSuppressionofActsofTerrorism.27MrAbbaisareporterforRadioFranceInternationale’sHausaservice.Hewasalsofined55millionCFAFrancs(approximatelyUS$100,000).MrAbbawasarrestedon30July2015ashereportedonattacksbyBokoHaraminthenorthernpartofCameroon,havingvisitedanareathathadbeenattackedbyBokoHaram.Hewastorturedwhileindetention.28Themilitarycourtrejectedrequestsforhimtobereleasedonbailasheappearedincourt17timesbeforetheverdictwaspronounced.29Duringhistrial,themilitaryprosecutorhadinitiallyrequestedthedeathpenaltyandlatercalledforhimtobesentencedtolife inprison.His lawyerswillappealagainstthesentenceattheendofSeptember2017.Twootherjournalists-TimFinniamofLifeMagazineandAtiaTilariousAzohnwiofthePostnewspaper-werearrestedon26January2017and9February2017respectivelyandchargedwithpromotingterrorismundertheLawonthe

24‘Law2016/007of12July2016relatingtothepenalcode’,accessed28August2017.25Ibid.26‘Cameroon-ClosureofRadioHotCocoa:PeterEssokaAnnouncedinBamenda’,Cameroon-Info.Net,11January2017,accessed5September2017.27‘Cameroonreporter,AhmedAbbatoappeal10-yearterrorismsentence’,DailyNation,25April2017,accessed2September2017.28‘Cameroon’scrackdowncontinuesasjournalistconvictedonterrorismcharges’,CIVICUSMonitor,21April2017,accessed22August2017.29‘Cameroon:callstofreeAhmedAbbagrowasmysterysurroundsappeal’,InternationalFederationofJournalists,17August2017,accessed5September2017.

10

Suppression of Acts of Terrorism.30The twowere released in September 2017 after PresidentPaulBiyaannouncedthatthegovernmenthadendedcriminalproceedingsagainstthem.

4.8 On17January2017,thegovernmentshutdowntheinternetandblockedaccesstosocialmedia

in the Northwest and Southwest regions. These actions followed protests by teachers’ andlawyers’ unions and the arrest of civil society leaders. The government instructed keytelecommunicationsandmobilephonecompanies-Camtel,MTNCameroon,NextelandOrange- to enforce theban. Following calls fromcitizens, national and internationalCSOsandmediaagencies,internetserviceswererestoredon20April2017.Followingtherestorationofservices,theMinisterofCommunicationswarnedsocialmediausersthatthegovernmentwouldshuttheinternetdownagainifitwasusedtospreadfalseinformation.

4.9 In December 2015, journalists Félix Cyriaque Ebolé Bola of the private newspaperMutations,

RodriqueTongueofLemessagerandBabaWamé,journalistandcyberjournalismteacher,weresummonedbeforeamilitarycourtandaccusedoffailingtodisclosethepresenceofasuspectedinsurgentfromtheCentralAfricanRepublichidingontheCameroonborder.31TheyhadinitiallybeenchargedunderthePenalCodeon28October2014forfailingtodiscloseinformation,andprosecutorsbannedthemfrompublishinginthemedia.Theywerealsorequiredtoreporttoapolicestationeveryweek.32

4.10 On28October2014,theCNCsummonedGuibaiGatamaandBenjaminZebazepublishersofthe

private newspapers L’oel Gatama and Ouest Littoral respectively, to respond to complaintsmadebytheCNCandthepoliceaboutviolatingtheethicsofjournalism.TheyweresummonedafterMr Zebaze published an article about the ban imposed by the CNC on any reports thathighlightedtrendsinelections.

4.11 On 10 March 2014, Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus, the editor of the private newspaper theMonitor,wassentencedtofourmonthsinprisonandfined10millionCFAFrancs(approximatelyUS$18,100)afterhepublishedarticlesallegingcorruptpracticesat theCameroonCooperativeCredit Union League (CCCUL), a microfinance institution. The Cooperative Union had filed acomplaintagainstMrNicodemusafterhepublishedarticlesaccusingCCCULofengaginginactsof bribery and embezzling funds. Zacharie Ndiomo, editor of the Zenith newspaper, was alsoarrestedon13October2014afterUrbainEbangMve,ChiefofStaffoftheMinistryofFinance,filedalibelsuitoveranarticlepublishedbytheZeniththatstatedthatMrMvecouldbesenttoprisonforcorruptpractices.

5.Freedomofpeacefulassembly

5.1 During Cameroon’s examination under the 2nd UPR cycle, the government received fourrecommendationson the right to the freedomofpeaceful assembly.Amongother responses,

30CIVICUSMonitor,21April2017,op.cit.31‘Cameroun:FélixCyriaqueEboléBola,RodriqueTongueetBabaWamédevantletribunalmilitairedeYaoundé’,Camerpost,7December2015,accessed2September2017.32‘BabaWame,RodrigueTongueetFélixEboléderetourautribunalmilitaire’,JournalduCameroun,22January2016,accessed2September2017.

11

thegovernmentcommittedtoprovideprotectiontoHRDsatrisk,especially involvingtherightto the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, to respect provisions ofexisting laws governing the freedoms of association, assembly and expression, and eliminateabuseofprovisionsto limitpoliticalgatherings,unionactivityandcriticismofthegovernment.Oftherecommendationsreceived,thegovernmentacceptedthreeandnotedone.However,asevidenced below, the government has failed to realise many of these recommendationsadequately,andhasnotimplementedanyfully.

5.2 Article21oftheICCPRguaranteesthefreedomofpeacefulassembly.Inaddition,thePreambleof theCameroonConstitutionguarantees the right to the freedomofassembly.33However, inpractice and policy requests for permission to hold protests that highlight human rightsviolationsandcall for reformsare rejectedand thesecurity forcesusebrute force todisperseprotests.Inmanycasesprotestersarekilled.

5.3 In October 2016, lawyers’ and teachers’ unions in the Northwest and Southwest regionsorganiseda seriesofprotests against theeconomic, social andpoliticalmarginalisationof theregions and called for reforms in the education and legal sectors. Theprotestswere violentlyrepressedbysecurityforces.On26November2016,morethan100protesterswerearrestedinthe city of Bamenda. 34 On 8 December 2016, five protesters were shot dead as theydemonstratedagainsttheviolentrepressionofpreviousprotestsandcondemnedplansbytherulingpartytoorganisea‘peaceparade’ inBamenda.Manymoreprotesterswerearrestedon23 January2017andat timeofwritingarebeingdetainedat theKondenguiCentralPrison inYaoundé.Somearebeingheldinsolitaryconfinementandallprotestershavebeenchargedwithterrorism, inciting rebellion, secession and treason. Most of these charges carry the deathpenalty.ThewhereaboutsofmanyprotestersarrestedsincethestartoftheprotestsinOctober2016remainunknown.

6. RecommendationstotheGovernmentofCameroon

CIVICUS, REDHAC and CHRDA call on the Government of Cameroon to create andmaintain, in lawandinpractice,anenablingenvironmentforcivilsociety, inaccordancewith the rights enshrined in the ICCPR, theUNDeclarationonHumanRightsDefendersandHumanRightsCouncilresolutions22/6,27/5and27/31.At a minimum, the following conditions should be guaranteed: the freedoms ofassociation, expression and peaceful assembly, the right to operate free fromunwarranted state interference, the right to communicate and cooperate, the right toseek and secure funding, and the state’s duty to protect. In light of this, the followingspecificrecommendationsaremade:

6.1 Regardingthefreedomofassociation

33ConstitutionoftheRepublicofCameroon,op.cit.34‘ProtestleadersontrialasresistanceinAnglophoneCamerooncontinues’,CIVICUSMonitor,14February2017,accessed6September2017.

12

• Takemeasurestofosterasafe,respectful,enablingenvironmentforcivilsociety,includingthrough removing legal and policy measures, which unwarrantedly limit the right toassociation.

• Reinstate the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium (CACSC) and stoppersecutingitsleaderssoitcancarryoutitsactivitieswithoutfearofintimidation.

• RepealsectionsoftheFreedomofAssociationLawNo.90/053of19December1990that

empower authorities to prevent arbitrarily the registration of organisations or banorganisationsthatarecriticalofgovernmentpoliciesorthatcallforreform.AllprovisionsoftheamendedlawshouldpromoteratherthaninhibitassociationallifeinCameroonandmustconformtoarticles21and22oftheICCPR.

• Carry out independent investigations into attacks and burglaries that target CSOs and

ensurethattheperpetratorsoftheseactsarebroughttojustice.

• Stopunwarranted raidsonCSOsandunjustifiabledisruptionsof legitimate conferences,seminarsandotheractivitiesorganisedbyCSOs.

• Refrain from acts leading to the closure of CSOs or the suspension of their peaceful

activities,and insteadpromoteameaningfulpoliticaldialoguethatallowsandembracesdivergingviews,includingthoseofHRDs,CSOs,journalists,activistsandothers.

6.2 RegardingtheprotectionofHRDs

• ProvidecivilsocietymembersandHRDswithasafeandsecureenvironmenttocarryouttheir work. Conduct impartial, thorough and effective investigations into all cases ofattacks,harassmentandintimidationagainstthemandbringtheperpetratorsofoffencestojustice.

• Ensure that HRDs are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear or unduehindrance,obstructionorlegalandadministrativeharassment.

• Release all HRDs and civil society members that are in detention and disclose the

whereaboutsofthosewhohavenotbeenseensincetheirarrestsin2016and2017.

• Publicly condemn instances of harassment and intimidation of civil society activists andCSOs.

• Systematicallyapplylegalprovisionsthatpromoteandprotecthumanrightsandestablish

mechanismsthatprotectHRDsandcivilsocietymembersbyadoptingaspecificlawontheprotection of human rights activists, in accordance with UN Human Rights Councilresolution27/31.

13

6.3 Regardingthefreedomofexpression,independenceofthemedia,accesstoinformationandattacksonjournalists

• Ensurethefreedomofexpressionandmediafreedombyallbringingnationallegislationin

linewithinternationalstandards.

• Review the restrictive provisions in the penal code that are used to detain, charge andsentencejournalists,particularlythoseonlibelandsedition.Therevisedprovisionsshouldconformwitharticle19oftheICCPR.

• RepealorsuitablyamendtheLawontheSuppressionofActsofTerrorism(2014)andstopusingthelawtotargetjournalists.

• Reinstateallmediaoutletsunwarrantedlyclosed.

• Ensure that journalists and writers can work freely and without fear of retribution for

expressingcriticalopinionsorcoveringtopicsthatthegovernmentmayfindsensitive.

• Take adequate steps to lift restrictions on the freedom of expression and adopt aframework for the protection of journalists from persecution, intimidation andharassment.

• Develop an action plan to ensure that internet laws comply with the government’s

commitment to guarantee the freedom of expression and information, to ensure freeaccesstoelectronicmediaandallowbloggers,journalistsandotherinternetuserstoplaya fullandactive role inpromotingandprotectinghumanrights, includingby liberalisingelectronicmediaownershiprules.

• Enable unfettered access to online information resources by removing restrictions on

access to national and international news websites, social media outlets and CSOwebsites.

• Implement legislative measures regarding access to information and establish

mechanismstofacilitatepublicaccessinlinewithbestpractices.

• Adoptalawonaccesstoinformationinordertopromotefullytheexerciseoftherighttothefreedomsofexpressionandopinion.

• Organise inclusive consultations with journalists and the media in order to resolve

disputesthatexistconcerningthenewmedialaw.

• Refrain from censoring social and conventional media and ensure that the freedom ofexpressionissafeguardedinallforms,includingthearts.

14

6.4 Regardingthefreedomofassembly

• Adopt best practices on the freedom of peaceful assembly, as put forward by the UNSpecialRapporteurontherightstofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandofassociationinhis2012annualreport,whichcallsforthepracticeofsimplenotificationofeventsbeingheldratherthanexplicitpermissionbeingneededtoassemble.

• Immediatelyandunconditionallyreleasealldemonstrators,journalistsandHRDsdetained

forexercisingtheir right to thefreedomofpeacefulassembly,andreviewtheircasestopreventfurtherharassment.

• Immediatelyand impartially investigateall instancesofextrajudicialkillingandexcessive

forcecommittedbysecurityforceswhilemonitoringprotestsanddemonstrations.

• Review and if necessary update existing human rights training for police and securityforces,withtheassistanceofindependentCSOs,tofosterthemoreconsistentapplicationof internationalhumanrights standards, including theUNBasicPrincipleson theUseofForceandFirearms.

• Publiclycondemntheuseofexcessiveandbrutalforcebysecurityforcesinthedispersalofprotests,launchaformalinvestigationintosuchinstancesandbringtheperpetratorsofabusestojustice.

• Providerecoursetojudicialreviewandeffectiveremedy,includingcompensation,incases

ofunlawfuldenialoftherighttothefreedomofpeacefulassemblybystateauthorities.

6.5 RegardingaccesstoUNSpecialProceduresmandateholders

• The Government of Cameroon should extend a standing invitation to all UN SpecialProceduremandateholdersandprioritiseofficialvisitsbythe:1)SpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsdefenders;2)SpecialRapporteuronthepromotionandprotectionof the right to freedomof opinion and expression; 3) Special Rapporteur on the rights tofreedom of peaceful assemblyand of association; 4) Special Rapporteuron theIndependence of Judges and Lawyers; 5) Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary orarbitraryexecutions;6) SpecialRapporteuronthe rights toprivacyand;7)WorkingGrouponArbitraryDetention.

6.6 RegardingStateengagementwithcivilsociety

• ImplementtransparentandinclusivemechanismsofpublicconsultationswithCSOsonallissuesmentionedaboveandenablethemoreeffectiveinvolvementofcivilsocietyinthepreparationoflawandpolicy.

• IncludeCSOsintheUPRprocessbeforefinalisingandsubmittingthenationalreport.

15

• Systematically consultwith civil societyon the implementationof theUPR, includingby

holdingperiodicalcomprehensiveconsultationswithadiverserangeofcivilsociety.

• IncorporatetheresultsofthisUPRintoactionplansforthepromotionandprotectionofallhumanrights,takingintoaccounttheproposalsofcivilsociety,andpresentamidtermevaluation report to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of therecommendationsofthissession.

Section7:Annex1.UPRofCameroon(2ndCycle–16thsession)-Thematiclistofrecommendationspertainingcivicspace

Recommendation Position Fulllistofthemes Assessment/commentsonlevelofimplementation

Theme:A24Cooperationwithspecialprocedures

131.76Issueastandinginvitationtospecialprocedures(Slovenia);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Supported A24Cooperationwithspecialprocedures

Affectedpersons:

-general

NotImplementedSource:2.1

131.77IssueastandinginvitationtothemandateholdersoftheCouncil(Tunisia);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Supported A24Cooperationwithspecialprocedures

Affectedpersons:

-general

NotImplementedSource:2.1

Theme:D33Arbitraryarrestanddetention

131.106Refrainfromarbitraryarrestanddetention,andenforceexistingCriminalProcedureCodeprovisionstolimitpre-trialdetention,incompliancewithICCPRobligations(UnitedStatesofAmerica);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Supported D33Arbitraryarrestanddetention

Affectedpersons:

-general

-personsdeprivedoftheirliberty

NotImplementedSource:3.5,3.6,4.5.

Theme:D43Freedomofopinionandexpression

16


131.65Decriminalizedefamation,reformthelegislationregulatingthepressinordertoensuremorefreedomforjournalistsandwriters(Germany);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Noted D43Freedomofopinionandexpression

A41Constitutionalandlegislativeframework

S16SDG16-peace,justiceandstronginstitutions

Affectedpersons:

-media

NotImplementedSource:4.4,4.5,4.6

131.141Ensurefreedomofexpressionandthepressbydecriminalizingallpressoffensesandprosecutingallperpetratorsofthreatsandattacksagainsthumanrightsdefendersandjournalists(France);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Noted D43Freedomofopinionandexpression

D31Libertyandsecurity-general

H1Humanrightsdefenders


Affectedpersons:

-humanrightsdefenders

-media

NotImplementedSource:3.3,3.4,3.5,3.7,3.8,3.10,4.6,4.7,4.8,4.9,4.10,4.11

Theme:D45Freedomofassociation

17


131.139Respectprovisionsofexistinglawsgoverningfreedomsofassociationassemblyandexpression,andeliminateabuseofprovisionstolimitpoliticalgatherings,unionactivityandcriticismoftheGovernment(UnitedStatesofAmerica);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Noted D45Freedomofassociation

D44Righttopeacefulassembly

D43Freedomofopinionandexpression

E33Tradeunionrights


Affectedpersons:

-general

NotImplementedSource:2.3,2.4,2.5

Theme:H1Humanrightsdefenders

131.112Provideactiveandimmediateprotectionforallhumanrightsdefenders(UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Supported H1Humanrightsdefenders

Affectedpersons:


NotImplementedSource:3.2,3.3,3.4,3.5,3.6,3.7,3.8,3.9,3.10

131.114AbidebyitsUPRengagementsmadein2009byfullyrespectingandprotectingtherightsandfreedomsofHumanRightsDefendersandjournalistsandthatnofinesorprisonsentencesareimposedonpersonsforexpressingpoliticalviewsoroppositiontothecurrentgovernment(Hungary);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Noted H1Humanrightsdefenders

A27Follow-uptoUniversalPeriodicReview(UPR)



Affectedpersons:


-general

-media


18


131.111Continuetoinvestigateactsofthreatsandaggressionagainsthumanrightsdefendersandjournalistsandbringtojusticethoseperpetrators(Spain);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)


B51Righttoaneffectiveremedy



Affectedpersons:


-media


131.113Makeeveryefforttofullyinvestigateallthreatsandattacksagainsthumanrightsdefendersandjournalistsandbringtheperpetratorstojustice(CzechRepublic);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)


B51Righttoaneffectiveremedy



Affectedpersons:


-media


19


131.116Ensureafavourableclimatefortheactivitiesofjournalists,humanrightsdefendersandotheractorsofcivilsociety(Tunisia);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)

Noted H1Humanrightsdefenders

D45Freedomofassociation



Affectedpersons:


-media


131.115Provideadequateprotectiontohumanrightsdefendersatrisk,especiallyinvolvingtherighttofreedomofexpression,peacefulassemblyandassociation(Ireland);Sourceofposition:A/HRC/24/2-Para.(advanceuneditedversion)


D45Freedomofassociation

D44Righttopeacefulassembly



Affectedpersons:


-media


republic of cameroon joint submission to the un universal …€¦ · · 2017-10-13ngo mbe email:...

Documents