Yaoundé: On the eve of nation-wide celebrations of the 42nd anniversary of Paul Biya’s ascension to the supreme magistracy of Cameroon, 50 opinion formers and one rights group sent the leader a letter demanding an end to ‘torture and grievous human rights violations in Cameroon.’

According to Cameroon News Agency, the open letter, dated November 5, bears signatures of notable Cameroonian politicians, lawyers, and rights advocates/groups, including Akere Muna, Kah Walla, Agbor Balla, CHRDA, and Richard Tamfu. They called for the president to take immediate action against torture by law enforcement officers.

The letter detailed a profile of torture cases from 2013 to 2024, involving victims such as Simon Lunkana Agno (Longue Longue), Ibrahim Bello, Junior Ngomba, and Ahmed Abba, among others. It narrated the ordeals these individuals and others have suffered in unhealthy conditions, including beatings with objects like machetes.

The leaders urgently cited the constitution’s preamble and penal code, insisting
that the President must put an end to torture and other human rights violations. They also condemned illegal and arbitrary arrests and detention, enforced disappearances, murder, and violence against women.

To address these issues, they recommended that the head of state ensure the resolution of the crisis in the North West, South West, and Far North regions. They urged him to forbid the trial of civilians in military courts and to make provisions for these recommendations in the 2025 budget. In the medium term, they suggested implementing a strategy to reform institutions of law and order.

The letter comes just days before Cameroon’s appearance before the Committee Against Torture in Geneva on November 13, 2024, and two weeks after Longue Longue released videos showing him being beaten in Douala in 2019, following an arrest by officers.