The 700-page bilingual document was presented in Yaounde October 24.

The Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso, Wednesday, October 24, 2012 chaired the official representation ceremony of the Cameroon’s 2011 Human Rights report. The event that took place at the Conference room of the Ministry of Justice was in the presence of some members of government, the diplomatic corps, representatives of some civil society organisations and specialised organs in the justice sector.

In a succinct manner, the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Justice, Jean Pierre Fogui presented the 700-page bilingual report. Entitled “Report by the Ministry of Justice on Human Rights in Cameroon in 2011”, the document has three major parts. After the general introduction and preliminary chapter on Cameroon’s cooperation with international mechanisms that promote and protect human rights, the bulk of the report delves into human rights issues proper. Part I with six chapters presents civil and political rights, Part II with seven chapters focuses on economic, social and cultural rights and the right to a healthy environment. Part III made up of three chapters handles cross-cutting issues and rights of specific groups that are socially vulnerable groups and women.

Minister Delegate, Jean Pierre Fogui in the presentation said the report was the fruit of collective work, taking into account the participation of different actors such as the State, institutions and civil society organisations. In describing the human rights situation in the country, he said, much has been done, much remains to be done, stating that the essential thing was to maintain the pace and to always do better. The description of Mr Fogui is in line with the general conclusion of the report that presents major achievements in the political will to make Cameroon a democratic country in which the respect for human rights would be a value shared by all. Another progress in the area of capacity building of stakeholders from all sectors, improvement of the framework for the exercise of the right to a fair trail, management of refugees, consumer protection and healthy environment. Strides in the health sector featuring the increase of medical personnel, infrastructure development and disease control strategies are also laudable. Improvements however, need to be done in the sector of harmonising national legislation with international legal instruments, effective implementation of the management bodies of refugees, relief of administrative directives. Much has not been achieved in the domain of housing. “Finally, the social inclusion of all remains one of the major concerns of the State”, the last sentence of the report reads.

The curiosity during the event was the yearning by all present to get home with a copy of the report. Indeed, almost all invited personalities were distributed copies that require some concentration for proper reading and understanding.