Justice Ministry yesterday, November 21 presented Cameroon’s 2012 Human Rights report

Cameroon’s Human Rights Report for 2012 prepared by the Ministry of Justice for government, in collaboration with independent actors and civil society organizations, was presented during a ceremony  chaired by the Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, Laurent Esso in Yaounde yesterday, November 2013. The 592-page report was presented by the Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Justice, Jean Pierre Fogui. The bilingual report is divided into three main parts that include Civil and Political Rights; Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the Right to a Healthy Environment and finally Cross-cutting Issues and the Rights of Specific Groups.

Civil and Political Rights

It emerged from the report that great strides were made in the area of civil and political rights. The right to participate in the management of State affairs tops the chart with the putting in place of the harmonized Electoral Code, introduction of biometric registration of voters and strengthening of the institutional framework of Elections Cameroon. Government also took practical steps to render the Constitutional Council operational through laws to lay down the organization and functioning of the institution and to establish the status of its members. Eight new political parties were legalized in 2012 and brought the number of legalized parties to 282 as at December 31, 2012. The hallmark of the right to freedom of expression and communication was the holding of the National Communication Forum. Government also registered improvements in the protection of refugees through the establishment of the Refugee Status Eligibility Commission and Refugee Appeals Commission, that effectively became functional .

Economic and Social Rights

The effective functioning of the Special Criminal Court to punish persons guilty of misappropriating public property was at the upturn. Government also created and transformed health facilities, increased staff and improved drug supply.  This contributed to a decrease in morbidity due to malaria, better control of cholera epidemics and continuation of free care to people living with HIV.

Cross-cutting Issues

Concerning prison conditions, government signed a decree aligning prison health with national health system. With regard to gender mainstreaming, many women were appointed to positions to participate in the management of public affairs. Key examples were the appointment of a female Senior Divisional Officer and Secretary General of a region. The elderly people and people with disabilities also received attention.

Challenges

The report raised challenges such as the popularization of the law on legal to fair trial, effective functioning of Administrative Courts, alignment of the education system with the socio-economic and cultural context, reduction of maternal mortality and more efforts to rehabilitate women who are victims of domestic violence.