Law enforcement officers in the North West and South West regions have received hands-on training on how to better promote and protect human rights as Cameroon draws closer to Presidential elections.
The training took place in Buea from August 26-27 and was led by the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa (UNCHRD-CA), in partnership with the Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC).
This capacity-building workshop was themed, “Respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in the Electoral Context in Cameroon.”
With Cameroon’s presidential election just 46 days away, the UNCHRD-CA and CHRC deemed it crucial for police and gendarmes to understand human rights principles and how to better promote and protect them.
During the two-day event, officers received training on several topics, including the role of Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) as defined by the Electoral Code; a general introduction to human rights and recurrent violations during elections; and the respect for civil and political rights and fundamental freedoms in electoral processes.
The goal was to raise awareness among officers on respecting and protecting human rights during the 2025 electoral period in Cameroon, in line with United Nations standards.
“The protection of human rights in electoral periods resonates not only with the principles of the rule of law but also with the complex and sensitive realities experienced in the North-West and South-West Regions,” said Galega Gana Raphael, vice-chairperson of the CHRC.
While exhorting officers to guarantee a secure environment for free, transparent, and fair elections, Galega Gana stated that the socio-political context in these regions imposes a heightened responsibility.
He added that the security-challenged environment necessitates an approach that is respectful of human rights, even in the most difficult situations.
“This training is both timely and necessary because elections are being held in one of the most difficult situations in the life of our nation.
It requires that, in spite of the ongoing democratic process, the human rights of citizens are maintained in every way to ensure free, fair, and credible elections,” he said.
The training is particularly relevant as human rights violations are more likely during electoral periods.
In the North West and South West, the upcoming election will occur amidst an ongoing armed conflict.
According to the UNCHRD-CA, the training not only equips officers to secure electoral operations but also ensures respect for human rights during the elections.
“We are emphasizing the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms because election periods constitute a risky time for these freedoms. I am talking about freedom of opinion, expression, association, and peaceful assembly. If these freedoms are not guaranteed during elections, the ability of voters to exercise their right will be trampled upon,” said Kiven Fonyuy, Programme Officer at UNCHRD-CA.
Considering that law enforcement operates on a command structure, Kiven explained that the Buea training targeted senior officers of the National Police, National Gendarmerie, and judicial officers.
He also revealed a follow-up plan to ensure the knowledge trickles down to officers in the field.
“We are trying to see if we can train at least 250 to 300 senior to mid-senior ranking officers on human rights and the respect of fundamental freedoms during electoral processes,” he said.
“They will then be responsible for advising, informing, and instructing their subordinates to ensure respect for human rights while carrying out operations. That’s the reason we have people with command responsibility here,” he added.
This workshop is part of a series organized by the UNCHRD-CA aimed at ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights during electoral periods in Cameroon.
