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UN PhotoOHCHR / CAMEROON TURK VISIT
STORY: OHCHR / CAMEROON TURK VISIT
TRT: 4:09
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE : 07 AUGUST 2024, YAOUNDE, CAMEROON
1. Wide shot, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the press encounter
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
« Le processus électoral au Cameroun, qui mènera aux élections de 2025 et de 2026, constitue une occasion clé pour renforcer l'inclusion politique et faciliter la participation de toutes les composantes de la société, notamment les jeunes, les femmes, les populations des zones touchées par des conflits, les personnes déplacées internes et les personnes vivant avec un handicap. Et ce, afin de garantir la libre expression des opinions politiques de tous et de toutes. C’est également l’occasion de s'assurer que l'espace civique est protégé pour permettre des discussions et des débats vigoureux sur les moyens de relever les défis ensemble. »
(English translation) “The electoral process in Cameroon, leading up to the 2025 and 2026 elections, is a key opportunity to reinforce political inclusiveness and facilitate the participation of all segments of society, including young people, women, populations in conflict-affected areas, displaced people and people with disabilities, to ensure the free expression of political opinions. To make sure the space is protected for robust discussion and debate on how to tackle the challenges together, as a country.”
3. Med shot, reporter asking question
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
« Dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest, ce qui avait commencé comme des manifestations pacifiques en 2016 s'est transformé en une crise majeure pour la population civile, avec des affrontements entre des groupes séparatistes, d'autres groupes armés et les forces de sécurité, y compris l’armée, faisant des milliers de morts, des centaines de milliers de déplacés et plus de 700 000 enfants privés de leur droit à l'éducation. Des informations continuent de faire état de violations des droits humains et d'atteintes à ces droits, notamment d'homicides, de mauvais traitements et de torture, d'enlèvements contre rançon et de restrictions à la liberté de circulation. L'imposition de jours de confinement par des groupes séparatistes, empêchant les enfants de se rendre à l'école et les populations d'accéder à leurs moyens de subsistance – au risque de se faire tirer dessus – est inacceptable et doit être fermement condamnée.
Aucun effort ne devrait être ménagé pour faire taire les armes et mettre fin à cette crise insoutenable – par le dialogue avec celles et ceux qui ont des griefs et des exigences, par l'obligation pour les auteurs de violations des droits humains et d’atteintes à ces droits, de rendre des comptes, et par des mesures de réconciliation, y compris une évaluation des processus existants de Désarmement, de Démobilisation et de Réintégration (DDR) pour des membres de groupes armés.
Malheureusement, il y a une impunité persistante pour les graves violations commises. La lutte contre l'impunité est absolument essentielle – quelle que soit l'affiliation des auteurs – car elle contribuera grandement à renforcer la confiance entre les citoyens et l'État. Là où les forces de sécurité de l’État ont été impliquées dans des violations, il est essentiel que des enquêtes soient menées indépendamment, rapidement et de manière transparente, et que les auteurs soient traduits en justice, tout en assurant la protection des victimes et des témoins. J’ai reçu des assurances de la part du Gouvernement à cet égard. »
(English translation) “In the North-West and South-West regions, what began as peaceful protests in 2016 has turned into a major crisis for the civilian population, with clashes between separatist groups, other armed groups, and security forces, including the military, leaving thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and the denial of the right to education to more than 700,000 children. Reports continue to emerge of human rights violations and abuses, including unlawful killings, ill-treatment and torture, kidnappings for ransom, and restrictions on freedom of movement. The imposition of “lockdown days” by separatist groups, preventing children from going to school, people from accessing their livelihoods, at the risk of being shot – this is unacceptable and should be roundly condemned. No stone should be left unturned in efforts to silence the guns and bring this untenable crisis to an end – through dialogue with those who have grievances and demands, through accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, and through reconciliation measures, including an evaluation of existing Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) processes for certain members of armed groups. Regrettably, there is persistent impunity for grave violations. The fight against impunity is absolutely key – regardless of the affiliation of the perpetrators – as it will go a long way in building confidence between citizens and the State. Where State security forces have been implicated in violations, it is essential that investigations take place independently, promptly and transparently, and perpetrators are brought to justice, alongside provision of protection for victims and witnesses. I was given assurances by the Government in this regard.”
5. Med shot, reporters
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I also called on Cameroon to accelerate adoption of comprehensive legislation on violence against women, and to revise the penal code to ensure access to justice and other essential services for victims. Harmful practices, including forced or early marriage, sexual harassment, rape and sexual mutilation must be vigorously tackled. Inequalities and unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, linguistic origin, sexual orientation, and other grounds needs to be eliminated.”
(French translation) « J'ai également invité les autorités camerounaises à accélérer l'adoption d'une législation exhaustive sur les violences faites aux femmes et à réviser le code pénal pour garantir l'accès à la justice et à d'autres services essentiels pour les victimes. Les pratiques néfastes, notamment les mariages forcés ou précoces, le harcèlement sexuel, le viol et la mutilation génitale féminine doivent être vigoureusement combattues. »
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk called on Wednesday (07 Aug) for an end to the conflict in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions, and for holding to account those responsible for human rights violations.
“Reports continue to emerge of human rights violations and abuses, including unlawful killings, ill-treatment and torture, kidnappings for ransom, and restrictions on freedom of movement,” said the High Commissioner, concluding a two-day visit to the country.
“No stone should be left unturned in efforts to silence the guns and bring this untenable crisis to an end – through dialogue with those who have grievances and demands, through accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, and through reconciliation measures, including an evaluation of existing Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) processes for certain members of armed groups,” Türk told reporters at a press conference in the capital Yaoundé.
In both regions of Cameroon, protests erupted in 2016 before turning into an armed conflict between separatist groups, other armed groups, and security forces. This has left thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and more than 700,000 children denied education.
“The imposition of ‘lockdown days’ by separatist groups, preventing children from going to school, people from accessing their livelihoods, at the risk of being shot – this is unacceptable and should be roundly condemned,” said the UN Human Rights Chief.
He voiced regret regarding the “persistent impunity for grave violations”.
“The fight against impunity is absolutely key – regardless of the affiliation of the perpetrators – as it will go a long way in building confidence between citizens and the State. Where State security forces have been implicated in violations, it is essential that investigations take place independently, promptly and transparently, and perpetrators are brought to justice, alongside provision of protection for victims and witnesses. I was given assurances by the Government in this regard,” he told reporters.
The High Commissioner also called on Cameroon to accelerate the adoption of comprehensive legislation on violence against women, and to revise the penal code to ensure access to justice and other essential services for victims. “Harmful practices, including forced or early marriage, sexual harassment, rape and sexual mutilation must be vigorously tackled,” he said. “Inequalities and unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, linguistic origin, sexual orientation, and other grounds needs to be eliminated.”
Ahead of the 2025 presidential election, Türk said it was crucial to reinforce inclusiveness and facilitate the participation of all parts of civil society, including young people, populations in conflict-affected areas, displaced people and people with disabilities, to ensure the free expression of political opinions.
During his visit, the High Commissioner met with senior Government officials, including Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, as well as members of a wide range of political parties, officials of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission, representatives of civil society organisations, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and UN entities.
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