GENERAL INTRODUCTION
1- As part of continuous dialogue initiated in 20021 with the African Commission on Human
and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), and in compliance with Article 62 of the African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights (The Charter), the State of Cameroon hereby submits its 4 th, 5th
and 6th Periodic Reports relating to The Charter. The Report covers the period 2013-2017, and
in a bid to produce updated information, it contains some information for the year 2018.
2- This Report was drawn up in compliance with the methodology laid down by the ACHPR 2.
In this regard, the drafting that was supervised by the Interministerial Committee for
Monitoring the Implementation of Recommendations and/or Decisions of International and
Regional Mechanisms tasked with the promotion and protection of Human Rights in the
Prime Minister’s Office, was guided by the willingness to involve different stakeholders from
the Administration, the Civil Society and the National Commission on Human Rights and
Freedoms (NCHRF). Contributions were requested from all the parties with a view to
preparing a draft by a team coordinated by the Ministry of Justice. The Draft Report was later
submitted to all stakeholders for validation during a Workshop organised on 4 and 5
December 2018. Civil Society Organizations (CSO) under the supervision of the NCHRF
further examined the Draft Report during a meeting held on 21 March 2019. Thus, the Report
is a reflection of the initiatives of the different components involved in the promotion and
protection of Human Rights in Cameroon during the reference period.
3- From the date of submission of the previous Report, Cameroon has ratified other
instruments of the African Human Rights Protection System that require it to submit a Report
to the ACHPR. In compliance with the relevant directives that provide for a Single Report in
such situation, this Report offers Cameroon the opportunity to submit her initial Report
relating to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to Women’s Rights in
Africa, and the African Union Convention on the Protection and Assistance to Displaced
Persons in Africa. Regarding the Charter, information comprises responses to the
recommendations on certain rights made in March 2014 when Cameroon defended her 3rd
Periodic Report3 as well as other rights contained in the Charter. The Report further contains
progress made, challenges encountered and future prospects in the promotion and protection
of Human Rights.
4- On the whole, it should be noted that the State of Cameroon implemented the obligations
contracted as per the instruments referred to above in a context characterised by security and
economic crises. The atrocities of the Boko Haram terrorist group were intensified by the end
of 2013. While both national and international efforts helped seriously weaken the atrocities
of this group, claims by trade unions in North West and South West Regions expressed in
October 2016 were progressively transformed into secessionist claims. Meanwhile, economic
constraints further deepened by the end of 2016. In a bid to guarantee the Human Rights of
persons living within its territorial jurisdiction, the State of Cameroon had to maintain peace
and security and take appropriate measures to contain the economic crisis without
1
Cameroon presented its initial Report on 5 May 2002 in Pretoria, South Africa at the 31st Session of the
ACHPR. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Periodic Reports of Cameroon were all presented in Banjul, The Gambia
respectively at the 39th Session of the ACHPR held from 9 to 23 May 2006, the 47 th Session held from 12 to 26
May 2010, and at the 54th Session held from 22 October to 5 November 2013.
2
It includes: Guidelines of 14 April 1989 on how to draw up Reports by States, Guidelines on Reports by States
Parties on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights known
as the Guidelines of Tunis adopted on 24 October 2011 and the Guidelines on the Presentation of a Report by a
State as per the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in
Africa adopted in November 2009.
3
The number of the recommendation is in parenthesis
1