Barrister Eta Besong Junior, President of the Cameroon Bar Council.

What does the solemn opening of the Supreme Court signify?

The ceremony is not just for the fancy of it. The law provides that at the end of every judicial year, it must be closed and a new judicial year must begin. The new judicial year begins with the solemn opening of the Supreme Court to mark the end of the former year and the beginning of a new one.

What will then follow?

Now, the 2012 judicial year has formally begun. From now, the numbering of cases for 2012 will begin. It might have begun unofficially but now it is the official statutory opening of the judicial year.

The Chief Justice of the Republic, Alexis Dipanda Mouelle focused his message on the protection of fundamental rights. What are they?

Fundamental rights are universal rights respected all over the world as pertains to human beings. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is part of our law. Basically, the Chief Justice of the Republic said there must be respect of constitutionality, of the laws of this country, whether they be national or international laws. There must also be separation of powers as ordained by the Constitution. The justice system of this country must ensure that the separation of powers is respected and that it is the decision of the judiciary to ensure that there are no administrative abuses. The judiciary must ensure that the laws which are passed in Parliament should be in accordance with the Constitution. The judicial system in Cameroon has a pivotal role to play.

How do you see the administration of justice in Cameroon in 2012?

Everything will progress. We cannot say we will reach perfection in 2012. Every year that comes, we expect that there will be improvement.