The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) gathered national and international technical and financial partners in the protection and promotion of human rights in Cameroon yesterday March 27 to brief them on the stakes of the protection and promotion of human rights in Cameroon. The briefing that centred at canvassing for more funds was chaired by NCHRF Chairman, Divine Chemuta Banda.
Though the State has taken several measures to make the NCHRF abide with the Paris Principles which are international standards for all National Human Right Institutions (NHRI), the commission is still staggering to accomplish its mission. Limited staff and finances, Divine Chemuta Banda explained, remain some of the commission’s major challenges. The setback, he said, is evident in the late publication of annual reports. Reports, they wish to publish regularly.
In spite of the human and financial difficulty, the commission has witnessed institutional advances which led to its re-accreditation to Status “A” by the International Committee of NHRI in April 2010. The granting of a 2,500 metre-square piece of land for the construction of the head office and funds allocated to start construction this year is a milestone. The commission has for the past years benefitted from budgetary increment. From FCFA 250 million in 2004 to FCFA 1.1 billion in 2012, it was said.
But much remains to be done. With the increase in budgetary allocations received from partners, the commission still cannot meet up with its mission because of insufficient resources. The need is dire, Divine Chemuta Banda stressed, since the commission with its Status “A” is increasingly being called to play a leadership role in the sub-region and beyond.
However, NCHRF as it seeks additional funding, is determined to remain the main actor in the promotion and protection of human rights in Cameroon and to remain in Status “A” while also being a locomotive in the Central African Region.
Divine Chemuta Banda told funding partners that “although the financial crisis is hitting hard on most institutions and funding is dwindling, I am sure that human rights remains paramount in your plans of action and you will be able to put aside resources this year and in years to come to support the commission.” Partners were also briefed on activities of the commission for this year.
