AFRICAN CONSCIENCE : African Network Of Grassroots Democracy

 

 

REACTION OF CONSCIENCE AFRICAINE ON THE ARREST, TORTURE AND INCOMMUNICADO DETENTION OF ISHAKA ABDEL BY MEMBERS OF CAMEROON DEFENSE AND SECURITY FORCES IN BAMENDA, NORTHWEST REGION:

  1. Strongly Condemns the repeated disregard for criminal procedure rules, particularly the illegal arrest, torture, and arbitrary incommunicado detention of Ishaka Abdel Njutreh, a student arrested in Bamenda by Defense and Security forces, while demanding for his Immediate and Unconditional release.
  2. Urges the judiciary to uphold the rights of the accused in criminal proceedings, ensuring fair trials for all Cameroonian citizens, especially those arrested in conflict affected Anglophone regions. This includes:
    • Informing arrested individuals of the reasons for their arrest
    • Allowing access to family members
    • Providing the right to a lawyer
    • Ensuring access to medical care
    • Upholding suspects rights to presumption of innocence, whether in police custody or other detention facilities.
  3. Demands an end to impunity in Anglophone regions, where perpetrators of grievous human rights violations and abuses often go unpunished. And equally urging immediate and impartial investigations to hold perpetrators accountable, rather than attempting to shield perpetrators from their crimes.
    4.Reminds the Cameroonian government of its responsibility to hold senior State officials accountable for failing to prosecute serious crimes committed by their subordinates. This is in line with Article 28 of the Rome Statute, which establishes the principle of command responsibility under international law.
  4. Continue to advise the belligerents forces to consistently respect International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law during attacks, while reminding them that they will ultimately be held accountable for their crimes sooner or later.
  5. Calls on the international community to support efforts to persuade the Yaoundé regime to engage in an inclusive and sincere dialogue with stakeholders to properly address the root causes of the armed conflict.
    Done in Bamenda, this May 20, 2023.
    Signed

Amadu TARNTEH
Executive Secretary

Arrest and arbitrarily detention of Ishaka Abdel by defence forcesTélécharger
conscience africaine
conscience africaine
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