Opinion formers urge President Paul Biya to take measures against Police torture
On the eve of nation-wide celebrations of the 42nd anniversary of Paul Biya’s ascension to the supreme magistracy of Cameroon, 50 opinion formers and one rights group sent the leadee a letter demanding an end to “torture and grievous human rights violations in Cameroon.”
The open letter of November 5, bears signatures of known Cameroon politicians, lawyers, and rights advocates/groups including; Akere Muna, Kah Walla, Agbor Balla, CHRDA and Richard Tamfu, who called for the president to swing now against torture by law enforcement officers.
In it, a profile of torture case from 2013 till 2024 involving victims like Simon Lunkana Agno (Longue Longue), Ibrahim Bello, Junior Ngomba, Ahmed Abba amongst others. The open letter narrated the ordeals these and others have suffered in unhealthy conditions, and received beatings with objects as machetes.
Without delay, the leaders insisted citing the the constitution’s preamble and penal code that the President puts an end to torture and other violations of human rights. They also detested illegal and arbitrary arrests and detention, force disappearances/ murder and violence against women.
As a means to that end, they recommended that the head of state should ensure a resolution of the crisis in the North West, South West and Far North regions. To this, for him to forbid the trying of civilians in military courts and make provision for these in the 2025 budget. In the medium term they added that a strategy be put to reform institutions of law and order.
The letter comes days to Cameroon’s appearance before the Committee Against Torture in Geneva on November 13, 2024. Two weeks after Longue Longue made a release of videos showing him being beaten in Douala, 2019, after an arrest by officers.
