REDHAC demands unconditional release of jailed journalist, Sebastien Ebala

The Human Rights Defenders
Network in Central Africa (REDHAC) has demanded the unconditional release of web Journalist Sebastien Ebala, incarcerated over 1 year ago.

The Journalist is believed to have been arrested on the basis that he had refered to MRC President, Maurice Kamto as the Democratically elected president of the Republic of Cameroon.

Ebala is believed to have been tortured severely while in detention by security forces, adding to the already lagging and slow judicial processes.

REDHAC has expressed its concerns for the continuous detention of the journalist, describing his detention as a violation of the Guidelines and Principles of a fair trial in Africa.

After his July 22 hearing, the next trial of journalist, Sebastien Ebala comes up on August 12, 2021.

Demanding his unconditional release, RHEDAC also requested for the physical, psychological and moral protection and security of the journalist be ensured.

Government, it adds , is obliged to comply with the convention against torture, inhumane and degrading treatment.

The case of Web kournalist Sebastien Ebala is another evidence of Government’s crackdown on the press in Cameroon.

In the past years the country has been listed as one of the highest jailers of pressmen in Africa, with an average of at least 7 journalist incarcerated annually.

Some victims include Njoka Kingsley, recently-released Paul Chouta, and late Samuel Wazizi who died behind bars.