Redhac decries violations of freedom of expression in CMR

The network of defenders of human rights in Central Africa (REDHAC) is deeply concerned about the infringement on freedom of expression by the Cameroonian authorities.

The statement signed by Madam Alice Nkom, Roch Euloge N’zobo and Maximilienne Ngo Mbe President of the Board of Directors, Secretary general and executive Director of Redhac, respectively, supports a certain number of facts which the Cameroonian journalists have been victims in recent months.

First statement indicated that since October 20, "Flash Ndiomo, editor of the fortnightly newspaper 'Le Zénith' was placed in pre-trial detention in the Yaoundé Central prison after a week of custody at the Judicial Police in Yaoundé for the spurious reason for "defamation"against the Secretary-General of the Ministry of finance, Urbain Noël Ebang Mve.

He was accused of having published ill-gotten information of Urbain Noël Mve Ebang who filed a complaint with the Prosecutor of first instance of Ekounou for defamation and dissemination of false information", said Redhac

Then, on 22 October, journalists Guy Bertin Nsigue, Camus Mimb Mayer and Steve Djouguela Mboafootball.com, sports news site and Radio Sport Info (Rsi) were detained in the Secretariat of State for defence (Sed) in Yaoundé, following a complaint lodged in September by Joseph Owona and Minkoa She, respectively president and member of the Committee for Standardization of the Cameroonian football Federation (Fecafoot).

Finally, on 28 October, Rodrigue Tongue, head of policy and coordinator of the editor of the daily 'The Messenger' in Yaoundé, Félix Cyriaque Ebolé Bola, Secretary general of editors in the South Media Corporation and president of the National Union of Cameroonian journalists (Snjc), Baba Wame, journalist and teacher at Esstic appeared before the military court in Yaoundé.

They met a complaint indicating that they "hold information that Could threaten national security and have not alerted the authorities", at that hearing, they were charged with"non-reporting" of such information and have been hit by heavy penalties.

These include 'prohibition to communicate on this matter, prohibited from leaving the national territory until further notice and even the obligation to appear before an investigating magistrate on Mondays at 11: 00', according to the Redhac.

Fort of this situation, the Redhac "denounced with its last energy attempted muzzling of the press in Cameroon maintained by the high authorities of the State of Cameroon and manifested by intimidation, wiretapping, death threats and arbitrary arrests accompanied by inhuman and degrading treatment against journalists", according to the statement.

While supporting "all the trade unions of journalists and to all journalists who are struggling with limited means to inform the Cameroonian populations, the Redhac recommended to the African Commission on human rights and peoples (ACHPR) to require the Cameroonian Government to comply with certain provisions.

It's compliance with article 9 of the ACHPR which stipulates in its paragraphs 1 and 2 that: "everyone has the right to information." Al.1 "everyone has the right to express and disseminate his opinions..." "the respect of the ACHPR adopted at its 32nd ordinary session in Banjul-Gambia from 17 to 23 October 2002 specifically XII parties on the protection of reputation, part XIII XV and penal measures on the protection of sources and other journalistic documents cited above, as well as the decriminalization of press offences to ensure freedom of expression in accordance with the regional instruments freely ratified.