The UN considers "arbitrary," the detention of Lydian Eyoum

The United Nations has said on Tuesday that the arrest and deprivation of liberty of Lydienne Yen Eyoum since 2010 is "arbitrary". The group called on Cameroon to take action "to remedy the material and moral damage” suffered by the Franco-Cameroonian lawyer.

On June 9, while the Supreme Court of Cameroon confirmed the conviction of Lydienne Yen Eyoum to 25 years in prison, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued a statement that could create discomfort at the diplomatic level.

He estimated based on information submitted by the defense of the Franco-Cameroonian lawyer, that the arrest and imprisonment of Lydienne Yen Eyoum were "arbitrary". Kondengui has been her prison since January 2010 and also had been sentenced in September 2014 to 25 years in prison for embezzlement of public funds.

"A full reparation"

"There was no notification of the arrest and the grounds for detention has exceeded the legal time," explains the expert group in a document dated 9 June 2015, cited Jeune Afrique.

According to this document, the Cameroonian government, that wanted to include 18 February 2015, has failed to meet the UN communications on this issue. "The time is up, the Working Group is now able to settle the dispute," he added.

"Accordingly, the Working Group requested the Government of the Republic of Cameroon to take the necessary steps to remedy the material and moral damage that Ms. Annette Yen Eyoum Lydienne has suffered by providing full compensation".

"Facing a dead end"

This review is an additional asset in the hands of the defense. "In Cameroon, we are facing a dead end, so we turn to the diplomatic bodies", declared Caroline Wassermann, who now hopes to be received by French President Francois Hollande.

"Michel Thierry Atangana joins our surprise, having received a decision from the similar UN. Cameroon does not comply with international court decisions. We expect a strong signal on the part of the State of Cameroon," concludes Wassermann.