FINAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE INITIAL REPORT PRESENTED BY THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

INTRODUCTION

The final observations on the initial report presented by the Republic of Cameroon are based on the contents of the report and the discussions between the Commission and that country’s delegates following the presentation of the report to the 31st Ordinary Session held in Pretoria, South Africa, from 2nd to 16th May 2002.

POSITIVE FACTORS

1.  The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights commends the Republic of Cameroon for having put in place a conducive environment for the submission and presentation of its initial well detailed report in accordance with the its obligations under Article 62 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.

2.  The Secretariat of the Commission received the initial report of the Republic of Cameroon on 23rd October 2001, and this gave it sufficient time to consider it. The report was submitted in English and French, the two official languages of Cameroon. Due to the delay in submitting its reports, Cameroon submitted a compilation of five (5) outstanding reports owed to the African Commission.

3.  The initial report presented by the Republic of Cameroon was prepared along the Commission’s guidelines on the preparation of the reports. It is a very comprehensive report with accurate statistics indicating not only the difficulties but also the positive points of the existing system.

4.  The freeing of all the political prisoners constitutes a positive point for the promotion of human rights.

5.  The Commission commends the Government of Cameroon for its efforts in the fight against poverty, corruption and HIV/AIDS control.

6.  The Commission appreciates the efforts of the Government with regard to economic and social rights which has made possible the provision of equal opportunities in terms of basic education for both boys and girls, taking care of non schooling youth , access to medical care and protection of marginalised groups.

7.  The initial report of the Republic of Cameroon addresses objectively and in a balanced manner the many issues related to economic and cultural rights contained in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. It is thus an important instrument for assessing the awareness of developmental problems affecting the harmonious evolution of human rights in this country.

8.  The Commission urges the Government to effectively implement the instruments and different programmes mentioned in the report as well as the prescriptions of the Charter so as to guarantee a better promotion and protection of human rights.

FACTORS INHIBITING THE ENJOYMENT OF THE RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE AFRICAN CHARTER.

1.  Despite the efforts of the Government in complying with the provisions of the African Charter, its limited resources impaired its capacity to ensure that all its citizens enjoy the rights guaranteed by the African Charter.

2.  The deep-rooted and unhealthy idea that the society has on some aspects of human rights, in particular with regard to minority groups and women, is another impediment to the effective and extensive implementation of the African Charter in Cameroon.

AREAS OF CONCERN

1.  The Government is facing all sorts of difficulties and is trying to strengthen the culture of human rights both in public administration and in the Cameroonian society.

2. The Additional Protocol establishing the African Court on Human Rights has not been ratified.

3.  Continued poverty in spite of the Government’s efforts to fight against this scourge, the status of women who are victims of discrimination due to socio-cultural factors.

4.  Since the Cameroonian Government has a bicameral legislation, the Commission is concerned that the Senate is still non operational six years after the entry into force of its Constitution.

5.  The Commission is concerned that the extended duration of the mandate of the members of the national Commission on human rights and freedoms may compromise the independence of the institution.

6.  The conditions of detention do not always meet international standards

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.  The Government of Cameroon should strengthen its policies of access to free , compulsory and universal basic education so as to eliminate gender discrimination.

2.  The Government of Cameroon should review its prison conditions with a view to bringing them in line with the principles of the Charter and international standards.

3.  The Government of Cameroon should continue working in close collaboration with NGOs so that the rights enshrined in the African Charter are a reality to all the citizens.

4.  The Government is further urged to further promote the culture of respect of human rights so as to reduce the existing tension between English-speaking and French-speaking citizens and promote peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic groups in the country.

5.  The Government is urged to ratify as soon as possible the Protocol establishing the African Court.

6.  The Government of the Republic of Cameroon is requested to inform the African Commission in its next periodic report about the progress made in the above mentioned areas of concern.

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