Cameroon’s National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, NCHRF has adopted a budget of One Billion, three hundred and sixty-three million four hundred and one thousand FCFA for the year 2021.
This was adopted during the body’s 28th ordinary session in Yaounde.
Speaking at the session, the acting Chairperson of the commission, Prof James M. Kobila noted that the work of the NCHRF had been greatly hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic but it had done its utmost best, receiving close to 1,000 complaints in 2020.
“The year 2020 has been a difficult year for Human Rights in Cameroon as well as the Commission itself. The Human Rights situation in the country is mainly adversely affected by security problems, some natural disasters and the new coronavirus pandemic,” he said.
Lauding moves such as the trial of suspects of the Ngarbuh Massacre, the acting Chairperson said more has to be done by human rights stakeholders.
To him, “while the work achieved in the area of human rights in 2020 is eloquent, the task remains considerable, ranging from the punishment of enforced disappearances on conflict regions, the prevention of torture and inhuman and degrading treatment, especially in certain places of deprivation of liberty, the right to shelter for IDPs, and the strengthening of the right to a fair trial …”
Prof. James M. Kobila announced that the commission would be looking forward to a new agenda, vision 2020 – 2030, a new human rights strategy in Cameroon and emphasis on human rights education in all training structures, among others.
At the session, new chairpersons and rapporteurs were also elected to the commission’s four working groups, following the expiration of the incumbents’ mandates in May 2020.
Mimi Mefo Info
