Cameroon’s Human Rights Practices Liable to International Scrutiny
Jean Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam (Minister of Communication)
CCDHR is appalled at the campaign recently lunched by the Cameroon Government through its Minister of Communication against the international community for voicing concern over electoral fraud in Cameroon. Minister Jean Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam, who was appointed to this position less than a month ago seems to have come into office with a definite agenda to preclude international scrutiny of Cameroon’s human rights practices, while gearing for further constraint on press freedom in the country.

In a meeting with the country’s private media executives, the Minister stated that “we should not allow foreigners to talk on issues that border our sovereignty”. This was in direct reaction to the move by the British High Commissioner and the US and the Dutch Ambassadors to Cameroon for publicly stating that the July 22, 2007 Municipal and Legislative elections in Cameroon were marred by massive fraud.

CCDHR holds that this move by the diplomatic missions to Cameroon was plausible and a greatly needed drive that should be perpetuated as often as the opportunity presents itself. The Minister’s assertion that such remarks by foreigners on a purely internal affair constitute a flagrant violation of Cameroon's sovereignty is both baseless and irresponsible. This demonstrates intellectual dishonesty or a poor understanding of the nature of international human rights law by the Minister. His call for journalists to demonstrate patriotism by defending Cameroon's sovereignty in situations of clear electoral misconduct and fraud is misguided; ironically intended to coerce journalists to refrain from criticizing the government’s atrocious human rights practices. Such initiative by the government is a scary proposition for which all Cameroonians and the international community should be even more concerned.

CCDHR contends that issues of human rights are not a purely internal affair of Cameroon, and criticizing the country's abysmal human rights practices is not unpatriotic. Rather, it is an honorable and patriotic responsibility that every Cameroonian and concerned persons of the world should assume. Human rights principles constitute a corpus of rights which every human being is entitled to. The right to vote is a right that every Cameroonian should be able to exercise freely and fairly. Continuous violation of this right does not reflect well for the stability and function of the country. Human rights are not artificial constructs of man but are rights that each individual is entitled to merely by virtue of being human. Respect for human rights enable human beings to be able to lead a decent life in a community without fear of danger to life, liberty, or limb. They form an integral part of humanity and are fundamental, inalienable, and universal.

Regardless of our country or continent of origin, all human beings have the same common human needs and concerns. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering regardless of our race, religion, sex or political status. Cameroonians just like other people around the world have the right to pursue happiness and live in peace and in freedom. Cameroonians are therefore prevented from achieving their full potentials and deprived of their basic characteristics of humanity when their rights are violated. The political, social, cultural, and economic development of the society have continually been obstructed by the prevalence  of human rights violations in Cameroon. Therefore, the protection of these rights and freedoms are of immense importance both for the individuals affected and for the development of the Cameroonian society as a whole.

Today, issues of human rights and democracy have gained such prominence in international discourse that they do not remain within the domestic prerogative of any particular state. How states treat their citizens is now a matter of international concern, especially when such a state is party to relevant international treaties. By ratifying international conventions on human rights therefore, Cameroon like all other state parties has voluntarily opened the way for international scrutiny of its conduct towards its citizens, vis-à-vis the provisions of such conventions. Even in the absence of treat ratification, international human rights law has evolved to the status of jus cogens, which means a peremptory norm or superior law which cannot be overridden or derogated by any state. National sovereignty is not a defense to violations of human rights.

CCDHR strongly holds that it is a dangerous suggestion to allow any particular state or government to determine sole handedly what treatment is best for its citizens because such moves is a recipe for disaster. Cameroon cannot and should not be an exception to the civilized treatment of its people. No state official has the right to violate the human rights of his/her fellow citizens. CCDHR is therefore calling on the Cameroon government to refrain from acts of human rights violations and to avoid continued restriction on press freedom in Cameroon. CCDHR is also calling on all journalists in Cameroon to be persistent watchdogs on government excesses, and to continue to truthfully and completely expose the human rights record and practices of the country.