Kumba School Massacre in Cameroon: Human Rights Watch says the death sentence given to suspects was marred with irregularities
3 min read
Screenshot of a video filmed outside Mother Francisca Bilingual Academy, in Kumba, South-West region, after the attack which killed 7 children on October 24, 2020 © Private (Source Human Rights Watch)
According to Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch “Victims of the Kumba massacre have a right to expect an effective investigation, and for those responsible to be brought to justice in a fair trial. Instead, Cameroonian authorities seem to have railroaded people into a sham trial before a military tribunal, with a predetermined outcome, capped with the imposition of the death penalty which is unlawful under international human rights law.” The death sentence has also witnessed condemnation from some national and international human rights bodies
On 24 October 2020, at least 7 children were killed by unidentified gun men in Mother Francisca Bilingual Academy, in Kumba, South-West region of Cameroon. The shooting to death of 7 children while in school and the injuring several others was one of the deadliest attacks against children in the North West and South West Regions of the country. Many attacks against children like the Ngarbuh massacre have occurred and continue to be perpetrated in the English speaking regions of Cameroon.
Some suspects of the Kumba massacre were later arrested in December 2020 after and have been on trial before the Buea Military Court including the school owner. Principal and four teachers according to Human Rights Watch report until 7 September 2021 when the final judgement was passed.
According to Human Rights Watch report published on 22 October 2021, “The 12 defendants, on trial before the Buea military court since December 2020, included the school owner, principal, and four teachers. The court found four guilty of terrorism, secession, hostility against the fatherland, murder, possession of illegal arms and ammunition, and insurrection. It sentenced four other defendants to five months in jail and a fine of 50,000 CFA (US $89) for allegedly failing to report receipt of a threat from separatist fighters. The court acquitted four others. In addition to the use of a military tribunal to try civilians, the trial was marred by serious procedural irregularities such as violating the rights of the accused to challenge the evidence against them and to present evidence in their own defense. Two teachers were acquitted.”
Discover and apply for career opportunities HERE
The Human Rights Watch Report also reveals that the defence counsel was not allowed to cross examine the witnesses “The entire trial was predicated upon circumstantial evidence as opposed to real evidence, and throughout the trial, the prosecution brought no witness we could ask questions,”
After the judgement on September 7, Human Rights Watch Report that “On September 14, defense lawyers notified the court of their intention to appeal but were required to pay 200,000 CFA (USD 352), the amount of the fines also levied by the military court on the four defendants, before their appeal would be accepted. On October 4, the secretary of the Buea military court informed the defense lawyers about the conditions of appeal, which include an additional payment of 420,000 CFA (USD 739), a clear barrier to appeal in a death penalty procedure.”
Read details of the report through the link below: Cameroon: Sham Trial for Kumba School Massacre | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)
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.
