V O L U M E 11, I S S U E 11
GENEVA 1 November 2018 — The UN Human Rights Committee, which monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, published a new general comment: a comprehensive text providing legal guidance on article 6, the right to life.
“The right to life is the prerequisite for the enjoyment of all other human rights,” explained Yuval Shany, Chair of the Human Rights Committee. “The general comment provides a rich and authoritative statement of the obligations deriving from the right to life, which the Committee defines as ‘the supreme right.’”
This general comment replaces earlier general comments No. 6 (16th session) and 14 (23rd session) adopted by the Committee in 1982 and 1984, respectively. Article 6 recognizes and protects the right to life of all human beings. It is the supreme right from which no derogation is permitted even in situations of armed conflict and other public emergencies which threatens the life of the nation.
-The right to life has crucial importance both for individuals and for society as a whole. It is most precious for its own sake as a right that inheres in every human being, but it also constitutes a fundamental right;
-Effective protection is the prerequisite for the enjoyment of all other human rights and whose content can be informed by other human rights.
- The right to life is a right which should not be interpreted narrowly. It concerns the entitlement of individuals to be free from acts and omissions that are intended or may be expected to cause their unnatural or premature death, as well as to enjoy a life with dignity. Article 6 guarantees this right for all human beings, without distinction of any kind, including for persons suspected or convicted of even the most serious crimes.
-Paragraph 1 of article 6 of the Covenant provides that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life and that the right shall be protected by law. It lays the foundation for the obligation of States parties to respect and to ensure the right to life, to give effect to it through legislative and other measures, and to provide effective remedies and reparation to all victims of violations of the right to life.
Reviewing the Human Rights Abuse situation of English speaking Cameroon, the month of June has recorded particular increase in Human Rights abuses. Therefore the intensifications of this violence directly affect the civilian population. The Bihndumlem Humanitarian Association of Peace and Hope (BIHAPH) in Cameroon have documented the most recent cases of Human right Violation/ Abuses covering the month of June 2022. This report involves atrocities committed by Defense and Security Forces (DSF), Non State Armed Groups (NSAG) and general community including individuals such as ArmedFulani herd men.
- RECORDED INCIDENCE BY ELEMENTS OF THE DEFENCE AND SECURITY FORCES
Government forces accused of killing 9 civilians in Missong village Fungom Sub Division in Menchum Division in the North West region of Cameroon, Village sources said.
On Wednesday June 1st 2022 the Members of Cameroon Army killed 9 civilians in Missiong village following a misunderstanding between the villagers and the armed forces. It was reported that, 4 women, 4men and a one year old baby Girl were killed during the massacre. This attack was acknowledged by the Defence and Security Forces (DSF) through a press release in which Captain Cyril Serge Atonfack; head of DSF communication division admitted the 4 soldiers opened fire and killed 9 unarmed civilians.
ADF Fighters killed in Meme, South West Region for Cameroon.
The mortal remains of two separatist fighters were put on display in the city of Kumba Meme division, South West region of Cameroon after they were killed by elements of BIR this June 8th 2022. According to sources in the Army these are remains of Self-Proclaimed General Deco and another who granted himself Colonel.
Military kills a disabled man and two others in Belo, Boyo division North West region.
It was reported that soldiers of the Defence and Security Forces stormed Belo village, living a young man living with disability by Name Gideon and 2 others dead on the 10th of June 2022.
Military Burn down 13 Houses, killing business Man in Bamunka Ndop sub division in the North West Region.
A popular business man whose brother is in the Cameroonian army was shot and killed after having his provision store burnt down. The incident is reported to have occurred on June 9th, 2022. Sources say the military went to Bamunka in Ndop sub division early in the morning when people were still asleep and started burring houses. About 13 houses wear burnt where by some belongs to civilians and others to separatist fighters.
Government forces arrest 7 people in Nkum Bui Division North West Region
The families of seven civilians arrested by government forces in Yelum, Bui Division in the North West region of Cameroon, have expressed fears that their relatives might have been killed. This took place on the 24 June, 2022 in Yelum.
Cameroon BIR element who doubles as chief in Bwassa Fako Division of the South West region tortured an unrecognized man in a viral video on the internet.
In a viral video circulating on social media, a soldier who doubles as a chief in Bwassa village known as Ewume Eko John aka Moja Moja was seen earlier on 28 June 2022, torturing an unrecognized man in the trunk of his car. Another video emerge showing how he is torturing the same man in his living room with a cutlass. Blood could be seen oozing out from his body. As of now, BIHAPH has no light about the man’s wellbeing or where about.
ADF self-proclaimed commander arrested in Douala
ADF self-proclaimed commander Eyambe Samson was arrested in Douala on June 10th 2022, thanks to a blackleg. He is a native of Marumba in Mbonge sub division of the South West region. He had proclaimed himself commander of Ekombe Ebongi three corners. He is responsible for kidnapping hundreds of people and collected huge sums of money.
10 Separatist fighters killed in Shukov, Waikov, Bui division of the North West Region
At least 10 separatist fighters have lost their lives in Shukov, Waikov in Bui division on the 19th of June 2022.
- ABUSES BY NON-STATE ARMED GROUPS
Five soldiers killed by separatist fighters in the neighboring Anglophone village to the west region.
On June 8 2022, separatist fighters reportedly killed 5 soldiers. This attack took place in Njitapon a locality close to the Noun a locality in the west region. This attack in particularly worrisome as it was conducted in the French speaking part of Cameroon outside of the usual conflict area of English speaking regions. In this attack, credible sources have confirmed that the armed men invaded Njitapon and attacked the Gendarmerie base killing 5 gendarme’s officers including Lt Commander of the Base.
Two Regional Delegation of Trade workers shot in Bamenda
It was on June 8, 2022 when the Delegate of trade for North West Ghogomu Abel Foncha reported the killing of two of his staffs Athenku Sadio Mandela and Yong Emmanuel who were shoot at the hospital round about neighborhood where they were assigned to work. Athenku Sadio Mandela died on the spot while Young Emmanuel was admitted to the emergency unit of the Regional Hospital in Bamenda.
Mamfe District Hospital in the South West Region of Cameroon set Ablaze
Reports of images online shows that the Mamfe District hospital in Manyu Division of the South West region of Cameroon was burnt down to ashes. The Health Facility was attacked at about 10pm Wednesday June 8, 2022. An eye witness account says that it was burnt down completely by separatist fighters after over powering security gourds in a fires gun fierce exchange.
A civilian brutally assassinated in Weh village Fungom sub division in Menchum Division of the North West Region of Cameroon.
Confirm source form Weh Village has it that, unidentified gun men in the early hours of the evening at about 7pm. 3gun shots were heard in intervals of 2-3minunts around the main entrance of our neighborhood on the road linking Weh to Wum and took to their heels, leaving a Man commonly known as Salifou Lifeless.
Serious gunshots in Mile 4 leaving 3 Gendarme and a Bike Rider dead in Bamenda
On Saturday 11th of June 2022, serious gunshots were heard at mile 4 bridges Nkwen in Bamenda city of the North West region leaving 3 gendarmes and a bike rider dead. Eye witness says the Gendarmes who were in active service went to eat in a local food vendor called ‘Dreamland’ were taken unaware by separatist fighters leaving 3 gendarmes and Bike man dead.
The Fon of Wa’azoh village in Wum Central finally released.
Following the abduction of the Fon of Wazor, HRH Nchia Josephe Ndoh on 16th of May 2022, after weeks of Molesting and torture, he was released on June 12, 2022 and was rushed to the hospital for proper medical treatment. BIHAPH visit to the place on June 16th reports that you could still see the bruises and swollen legs.
Serious shooting took place in Esu Menchum division in the North West region.
There wear reports that serious shoot took place in Esu form 2 am to the early hours of the 18th of June 2022. It was alleged that some armed men attacked the military in Esu and a serious exchange of fire between the military and the unidentified armed men that lead to the death of an unidentified armed man stray bullets touched a woman who is the second wife of Mr Ignatius Buh a retired Military man.
Injured Gendarme Rescued by population in Bamenda
The population of Bamenda showed their human side after rescuing gendarme Mankolo who was shot by separatist fighters in Bamenda mile two Nkwen on the 16 June 2022.
Separatist fighters attacked the Konye Gendarmerie Brigade in Meme Division, South West region of Cameroon
Separatist fighters launched an assault against the Konye Gendarmerie Brigade in Meme Division leaving one gendarme dead. This took place at the brigade on June 24th in the Afternoon.
Detected separatists shot dead by active fighters upon his return in Liebialem, south west region of Cameroon.
A former separatist fighter was killed by his former colleague in Lewoh, near Fontem as he return home almost 2 years after his absconded from the fighter. According to reliable information given to MMI source got his name as Sammy on 27 June 2022.
- ABUSES BY COMMUNITY/ ARMED FULANI HERDSMEN.
Three girls arrested in Buea-South West Region, for torturing of mate over boyfriend.
Three girls in, South West Region of Cameroon were on Wednesday 8 of June arrested by security forces for torturing another lady. In a viral video, the trio is seen undressing the victim and beating her with wipes. The go ahead to force her parade the town’s streets naked.
Unidentified human body, head abandoned at Bamenda regional hospital
A body with without a head and a head without a body wear found on the 14th of June 20222 at the Bamenda Regional Hospital in the North West Region. This was disclosed by the director of the Bamenda Regional hospital in the Northwest region, Dr Denis Nsame, in a note signed indicated that the Unidentified human head and body without head are lying in the hospital mortuary in a poor state thereby inviting the general public to pass by and identify it.
Serious gun shots in Mbipgo Ndu North West Region leading to the death of 2 people
On the 16th of June 2022, Mr Ngala Genesis was shot in his room and Mr Tamfu Christain on the road. The population to follow the shooters but the opened fire then the population scatted. Eye witness says the gun men are Mbororo people who use to terrorize them because they are in to cattle rearing.
Chomba Prince murdered and dumped in Bamenda
There has been a widespread shock in Nancho, Bamenda, the capital of Cameroon restive North West Region, where the body of Asanji Micheal, a Chomba Prince was dumped by his killers on the 20th June 2022. It was alleged that Asanji left his village and was intercepted by unknown assassins that faithful day.
Mbororos /Fulanis slaughter driver in Ntumbaw village in Ndu sub division, North West region
A driver whose name is still to be identified and who works in Ntumbwa left the village on Thursday 23th of June 2022 in the evening going back to their neighborhood Mankeng. On his way, he was caught and slaughtered like a goat by a group of Mbororws/Fulanis who have been coursing havoc in Ndu subdivision in the North West region.
About 30 people killed in an intertribal war in Akwaya, Manyu division in the South west Region.
It took place on the 25th of June 2022 in Balin ungare in a long-lasting tribal conflict between the Olity and Massava people which has led this time around to unknown gun men shot indiscriminately at mourners during a funeral and they burnt down the integrated health center in Bagundu leaving about 30 persons with 5 Nigerians dead and many others missing.
Woman loses her life to domestic violence in Bamenda, North West region
Her name is said to be Ophelia Nchinda who lives in Bamenda with her husband who is a military man by profession, she wanted to go the village and her husband refused in a violent argument he took his gun and shot her leaving her dead on the 27th of June2022 in Bamenda sources say they were blessed with a child.
With the above gross human right violations and the continuous escalation of violation the English Speaking Region Of Cameroon, BIHAPH in documenting these gross human right violations calls on all parties to respect the inherent human dignity and the respect for life. It also calls on states, international bodies to ceased from being toothless bull dogs on paper to real and concrete action by punishing all perpetrators responsible for the gross violations of human rights. Human life precede all states entitlement and should be respected by all.