No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Careers
en English
en Englishfr Français
Support Us
Mimi Mefo Info
  • Cameroon
  • Africa
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Business
  • Education
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Sport
  • Cameroon
  • Africa
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Business
  • Education
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Sport
No Result
View All Result
Mimi Mefo Info
English | Français
No Result
View All Result

Amnesty International tasks Cameroon government to come clean on COVID-19 cases in prisons

Mimi Mefo Info by Mimi Mefo Info
May 5, 2020
Reading Time: 2 min
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

For weeks now, there have been fears in most Cameroonian detention facilities as the coronavirus pandemic spreads nationwide. A latest decision by President Paul Biya to decongest prisons by commuting some sentences, has not adressed rumours of cases of the virus in prisons.

Inmates’ fear was heightened by the sudden deaths and the rush of some prisoners for medical care out of jail. Despite government’s silence, human rights group, Amnesty International has confirmed that at least one case of the virus was recorded in the dreaded Kondengui prison.

The organization further says it has information that “the number of current and former detainees tested positive could be much higher. “With prisons in Cameroon noted for poor conditions, Fabien Offner, Amnesty International West and Central Africa researcher believes the detention centres risk becoming epicenters of the pandemic unless urgent action is taken”.

“Authorities must take all necessary measures to allow those in prison to enjoy standard health-care services free of charge and without discrimination, and to urgently reduce the overall number of people in detention” Fabien adds.

Welcoming the release of hundreds of inmates from different prisons following the President’s commutation of sentences, Amnesty international says it remains far from sufficient.

“Measures to fight the spread of the virus in detention facilities should include the release of detainees who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 such as the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions” the human rights body opines. With the lack of adequate medical care as a key challenge, Amnesty International reveals that most inmates who present COVID-19 symptoms are treated using hot liquids mixed with ginger and garlic.

At least two sick detainees died shortly after their release with one buried in conditions applied to COVID-19 deaths without the presence of his family, although no test was made to determine the cause of death the rights group adds. To Fabien Offner, their dignity as humans was undermined.

“Keeping elderly or sick people in detention or releasing them just to blow their last breath outside is inhumane. Authorities must treat prisoners with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings… Continuing to fill prisons with people who have done nothing but exercising their right to freedom of expression is not only a violation of international law, but is also hampering efforts to contain the virus” say Fabien.

Like in the situation of calls for the release of journalists jailed for doing their jobs, the Cameroon government has also maintained silence after calls for the further decongestion of prisons including the release of persons jailed for expressing their political views.

Mimi Mefo Info

You can help support our work through the link below
Share361TweetSendShare
Previous Post

Possible progress in Samual Wazizi’s case after over 270 days in jail

Next Post

Mixed feelings expressed over activities of Vigilante groups in Nkambe

Related Posts

Insécurité

Sud Ouest: Le calvaire de 26 enfants trafiqués

March 8, 2021
Insécurité

Cameroun: Comment les femmes survivre dans les zones d’insécurité?

March 8, 2021
Human Interest/Society

Tragedy strikes again!
7 die in Muyuka accident

March 7, 2021
Farmer/Grazier Conflict: Nwa subdivision faces another attack
Human Interest/Society

Farmer/Grazier Conflict: Nwa subdivision faces another attack

March 5, 2021
Settling scores, incriminating the innocent in the guise of defeating ‘terrorism’
Human Interest/Society

Settling scores, incriminating the innocent in the guise of defeating ‘terrorism’

March 5, 2021
Human Interest/Society

Open Letter: Visually Impaired Persons Send Missive To President Biya

March 5, 2021
You can help support our work via the link below

Recommended

Breaking!CAF cancels 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

Breaking!
CAF cancels 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

8 hours ago
National And International News Roundup – 8th January 2021

National And International News Roundup – 8th March 2021

9 hours ago

Cameroon:
Women share plight as war against Boko Haram leaves many helpless

11 hours ago

COVID19 frustrates Under 17 AFCON

13 hours ago

Popular News

  • Updates: Who killed the 4 chiefs in Lebialem? The Plot thickens

    Updates: Who killed the 4 chiefs in Lebialem? The Plot thickens

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Kribi: school summons students over leaked obscene footages, deviant behavior

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bui Division:
    Separatist faction challenges CPDM MP’s unity call, promises hell for soldiers

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Government mute as new ‘rebel movement’ threatens to take over power, release political prisoners

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

You can help support our work via the link below

Category

  • Affairs
  • Africa
  • Afrique
  • Agriculture
  • Business
  • Cameroon
  • Cameroun
  • Culture
  • Development
  • Développement
  • Economie
  • ECONOMY
  • Editor's Picks
  • Editorial
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Environnement
  • Food
  • Français
  • French
  • Gestion
  • Gouvernance
  • Health
  • Human Interest/Society
  • Human Rights
  • HUMANITAIRE
  • Insécurité
  • Interviews
  • Judiciary
  • Justice
  • Lifestyle
  • Live Update
  • MONDE
  • News
  • News Roundups
  • Opinion
  • Other
  • Politics
  • Politique
  • Religion
  • Road Safety
  • Santé
  • Science
  • Security
  • Société
  • Sport
  • Tech
  • Tourisme
  • Transport
  • Travel
  • Voyage
  • World

Important Links

  • Term of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us

Copyright © 2020 Mimi Mefo Info Ltd. - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • World
  • Business
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
  • Health
  • Food

Copyright © 2020 Mimi Mefo Info Ltd. - All Rights Reserved.

en English
en Englishfr Français
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
pixel