Cameroon Bar Association Calls for nationwide protest
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The protest is scheduled to take place as from the 30th of November to the 4th of December 2020. The protest is coming when crackdown on lawyers have recently witnessed a rise following the Court of First Instance Bonanjo-Douala incident. Lawyers were teargas and mercilessly beaten by gendarmes and police following an intense argument with the magistrate. Following the investigations by the Cameroon Bar Association as stated in their communique, the State Counsel of the Court of First Instance Bonanjo, Douala, has ordered for the arrest of fifteen lawyers. It is also said in their recent communique of the 21st of November 2020 that the two Douala based lawyers, TAMFU NGARKA Tristel Richard and TCHUENMENGNE KEMMEGNE Armel were arrested and detained on 18 to 20 November 2020. They were later remanded in custody by the state counsel of the said court under the pretext of crimes including; Insulting a Magistrate, destruction and Commenting on a matter which is sub judis. In their communique, the Cameroon Bar Association said that during the five days protest. They will not be going to court nor participating in matters arising from the upcoming Regional Elections in Cameroon. It is worthy to note that they had earlier condemned the barbaric act which happened on 10 November 2020 and calls for sanctions against the perpetrators.
The African Bar Association have supported the call for the nationwide protest while stating that the protest is timely as it will raise awareness on repression against the judiciary arm of government by the executive. Amongst other issues, the Cameroon Bar Association has also: cancel the judicial HONOURS for the late Bar President, TCHAKOUTE PATIE Charles, initially scheduled to take place at the Court of Appeal of the Littoral Region in Douala and the Supreme Court in Yaoundé.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
