LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2018 – The University of Southern California Gould School of Law’s International Human Rights Clinic (USC IHRC) and Access Now, together with legal counsel, Foley Hoag LLP, are urging the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, to address recent human rights violations committed by the Republic of Cameroon against the country’s Anglophone population.
In a letter, USC IHRC and Access Now seek increased efforts by the UN to prevent future human rights violations against Anglophone Cameroonians in Cameroon and those seeking asylum in Nigeria, as well as to ensure that those responsible for prior violations are held accountable for their unlawful conduct. The letter further calls on the Government of Cameroon to respect Anglophone Cameroonians’ rights to assembly and peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and access to information through any media.
“As your Office is aware, over the past year and a half, the Government of Cameroon has brutally cracked down on any perceived political dissidents,” the letter states. “English-speaking civilians from the Anglophone Cameroonian regions have been particularly targeted because of their opposition to the Government’s discriminatory policies aimed at economic suppression and forced assimilation of this minority group. What in 2016 ‘began as a simple request for English to be used in the courtrooms and public schools,’ has since escalated into a major crisis.“
The letter emphasizes several serious violations against Anglophone Cameroonians, including torture, inhuman treatment, and threats to freedom of expression. In January 2018, Nigeria extradited many arrested Anglophone Cameroonian political leaders to Cameroon, violating both Nigerian and international law, the letter states, adding that the situation has become “further internationalized” with Chad deploying its military in Cameroon at the request of the Cameroonian government.
“These widespread and rapidly escalating human rights violations against Anglophone Cameroonians must be stopped once and for all,” said Prof. Hannah Garry, founding Director of USC Gould School of Law’s International Human Rights Clinic. “We hope that in our appealing to UN leaders about what’s taking place in these countries, action will be taken to ensure these individuals can live their lives free from oppression and strife.”
“The warning signs are clear, and world leaders should not sit idly while Cameroon continues its campaign of censorship and repression,” said Peter Micek, General Counsel of Access Now. “Cameroon’s leaders have repeatedly shut down the internet in a blatant attempt to silence and weaken the English-speaking minority, so far with impunity. Civil society expects global diplomats and lawmakers, from Cameroon’s neighboring countries, the United Nations, and beyond, to take a stand. We must act urgently to prevent further attacks on Anglophone communities, which displace vulnerable communities and violate their human rights.”
Along with the letter, USC IHRC and Access Now are working to schedule meetings with the offices of several U.S. congresspersons to address these human rights issues.
The USC IHRC handles pro bono advocacy projects to confront some of the most pressing human rights concerns. Access Now is a non-governmental organization that works to defend the digital rights of users at risk around the world through policy and advocacy interventions, direct technological support, grants, and the RightsCon event series.
Contacts:
Professor Hannah Garry, Director of USC International Human Rights Clinic
USC Gould School of Law
213-740-9154
hgarry@law.usc.edu
Peter Micek, General Counsel
Access Now
888-414-0100 x709
peter@accesnow.org