Cameroon BAR Calls for Action Against Policemen in Torture Case

The Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon BAR Association has ordered the punishment of three policemen involved in the brutalization of a civilian, captured in a disturbing viral video.

Over the past few days, a video clip has been circulating on various social media platforms, depicting a civilian subjected to mistreatment at the hands of three police officers on a bustling street in Douala.

In an official communiqué, the BAR Association stated, “The Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association has uncovered, through a widely circulated video, an alarming display of torture and violence perpetrated by three police officers against a citizen on November 5, 2023, in Douala. This video unmistakably reveals the physical abuse inflicted by each of the police officers on the individual.”

In their statement, the Human Rights Commission said again that torturing people is completely wrong and goes against national and international agreements that Cameroon has signed, especially the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, and Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Furthermore, the commission emphatically demanded that the police officers responsible for this “egregious misconduct” against a fellow human being be “summoned and subjected to severe legal penalties as prescribed by the law.”

The Human Rights Commission expressed deep regret that such brutality against a citizen occurred in a civilised society.

The public applauded the initiative in response to this significant action, and one person named Qatari expressed gratitude for the pursuit of justice by saying, “Thanks to justice for this fact, we hope the sanction will be severe so others can take measures to avoid falling into this situation again.”

However, there were also those who questioned the authority of the Commission, with Frank Mbozo’o raising doubts about its effectiveness, stating, “Can I know the powers this commission has? If it is only giving advisory opinions, I do not believe that this action could lead to a sanction worthy of the name.”

The circumstances that led to the distressing incident between the young man and the police officers, as captured in the viral video, remain undisclosed at this time.

Mimi Mefo Info