Cameroon Human Rights Commission opens investigations into the alleged human rights abuses by Bopda
2 min read
The Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC) in a communique published on 27 January 2024 acknowledged to have received reports circulating on social media platforms (particularly Facebook and WhatsApp), about multiple alleged cases of serious human rights violations purportedly committed by a Cameroonian citizen. In most of these allegations, whistle-blowers mention violations of the right to life, physical and moral integrity through rape and threats, abduction and unlawful confinement, indecent assault as well as sexual harassment against approximately a thousand individuals.
The commission equally noted that, ‘however, given that the initial complaints are anonymous, they objectively are pamphlets that prevent the Commission from handling the alleged cases of human rights violations as required, namely: by receiving and hearing the complainants, examining the evidence submitted to the case file, hearing the supposed victims and the accused, hearing the witnesses, and then confronting the parties.’
The Commission notes that on 24 January 2024, Fodouop Bopda Herve Noël filed a complaint with the State Counsel of the Douala-Bonanjo Court of First Instance against Kareyce Fotso, Nourane Foster, the “whistle-blowers” and others, for “defamation by electronic communication, complicity and death threats”, whishing “an investigation to be opened against all these individuals”.
The Commission, which is assessing subsequent testimonies circulating on social media as well as documents tending to exonerate the accused, calls on all relevant authorities to promptly investigate these alleged cases with the necessary composure and impartiality and to take the appropriate legal measures based on the findings of the investigations.
For its part, the Commission, having initiated investigation on his own motion into the matter since Friday 19 January 2024, is closely monitoring the developments in this regard and advises the alleged victims to reach out to the CHRC through a formal complaint or through the toll-free number, 1523 to allow for further investigative work
Read details/official communique from the Cameroon Human Rights Commission below or click here to read details
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.
