All human right activists, the Cameroon Human Rights Commission, International organizations (the Center of the United nations for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa ), the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Civil society organizations specialized in human rights protection amongst many all gathered at the Mont Febe Hotel on December 10th to commemorate the International Human Rights Day which is jointly celebrate with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which clocked 76.
A moment to recall on the various incidents of human rights violations perpetrated over the years with the highest number recorded in the 3 regions of the country faced with security crises.
It was also a day to reiterate the 30 articles which hold the rights and freedoms of all people enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
To mark the day, the Cameroon Human Rights Commission presented the translation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) into 6 national languages. These languages are Akossè (South-West Region), Bulu (South Region), Duala (Littoral Region), Gbaya (East Region), Toupouri (Far North Region), and Yemba (West Region). This initiative, they say, is to make sure each individual knows his or her rights.
The six newly translated versions of the UDHR will be submitted to the United Nations for registration and preservation in the World Collection of Documents on the UDHR, which can be accessed indefinitely at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
This year, the 76th anniversary of the Declaration was celebrated under the theme: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now. This theme is a powerful call to action, emphasizing the urgency of addressing human rights challenges today to shape a fairer and more inclusive future, with stronger governance approaches.
According to the President of CHRCH, Prof James Kobila Mouangue, Cameroon is facing a whole lot of human rights violations.
”The most significant violation of human right is usually the least mediatized. Regarding the state of human rights, as you know Cameroon is facing security attacks in three regions, the Far North, North West and South West regions. These attacks have taken the highest part of human rights violation in Cameroon. There are so many rights violated in these areas such as the right to
education, to expression, the right to own properties, to health, to own businesses because all these have been burnt to ashes and most importantly the right to life and physical integrity. These security issues have seriously jeopardized human rights in these regions. Apart from these regions, cases of torture and excess use of force have been reported in the regions not targeted by security issues. Measures have been taken by the Government, public authorities, Civil society organizations, international organizations as well to promote and protect human rights in the country.”
Regarding the actuality on the suspension of the activities of some NGOs by the Minister of Territorial Administration for a period of three months for reasons such as exorbitant and illicit expenses which do not tie down to the profile of their activities and absence of justification of the destination of finances and non-respect of legal rules abiding to NGOs, the President
emphasized that he doesn’t neglect the rights of associations in assisting in democracy but that it does not mean they should not look into their activities and be sure they are functioning legally.
In a statement on this, he condemned the confrontational approach adopted by the incriminated NGOs towards the authorities and urged both parties (MINAT and NGOs) to “strictly abide by the rule of law in all their actions.”
The President also mentioned the continuous implementation of their mandate which is to prevent torture, protect and promote human rights in Cameroon shall always be at the forefront.
