Wilfred Enow Agbor
Yaounde, Cameroon
The Ministry of Justice has published its 2012 report on human rights in Cameroon. The 278 pages book is available in English and French, and it comes three parts. The first part of the report has 6 chapters; the second has 7 chapters and the third has 3 chapters.
The first section of the book deals with civil and political rights and the measures taken by the government to promote and protect these rights. It explains special laid down laws and sanctions put in place for any staff guilty of violation of human rights.
Report by the Ministry of Justice on Human Rights in Cameroon in 2012
The economic, social and cultural rights and the rights to healthy environment constitute the part two of the document. Here, actions related to good governance and the fight against corruption, rights to education, health, adequate standard of living, work and social security, culture and healthy environment have been of absolute interest to the government.
For part three, cross-cutting issues and the rights of specific groups appears the bone of contention. The government has addressed issues like prison conditions, promotion and protection of the socially vulnerable persons such as children, the disabled, elderly and indigenous people. The promotion and protection of women is also covered in this section of the report.
Here are more highlights from the report:
The signing of decree no 2012/339 of September 2012 by the Ministry of Justice ensures the government’s commitment to improve living conditions in prisons.
Significant reforms have been made especially with effective functioning of the Special Criminal Court in cracking down on embezzlers of state properties.
Biometric registration of voters and adoption of the electoral code enable the citizens to exercise their civil and political rights.
The government offers free treatment of malaria and cholera to the public and educates its citizens through sensitization campaigns on how to prevent these illnesses.
Finally, there has been appointments of women to certain key posts of responsibility to enable them participate actively in the development and management of public and political affairs of Cameroon.
The unveiling ceremony of the report was chaired by Laurent Esso, Minister of Justice and Keeper of Seals took place in the conference hall of his Ministry. Also present at the ceremony were Issa Tchiroma, Minister of Communication, Gregoire Owona, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Ama Tutu Muna ,Minister of Art and Culture, amongst others.
