113- Some initiators of assemblies and demonstrations seised the courts in the event of refusal
by the administrative authorities of the holding of same, while others organised undeclared
demonstrations that were monitored by the Forces of Law and Order.
Section 11: Right to Free Movement and to Choose Residence, Leave a Country
and Seek Asylum (Article 12) (REC 30, 31)
114- Developments registered in the implementation of Article 12 of the Charter shall be
relayed be they under the right of free movement and to choose residence, the right to leave
any country including one’s country and to return to same, and the right to seek asylum since
no collective expulsion was registered. The expulsion of foreigners was conducted by virtue
of decisions taken in compliance with the law.
A: Freedom of Movement and to choose one’s Residence
115- Since the previous Report, the principle of freedom of movement that was until then
applicable only in the 4 countries of the CEMAC zone, is henceforth applicable in all the
countries of the zone.
116- In a bid to guarantee freedom of movement nationwide, access to civil status documents
as indicated below under the rights of the child or identification documents was facilitated. In
this regard, the terms and conditions of establishment and issuance of the said documents
were laid down by 2 Decrees signed on 4 August 2016, one relating to the establishment and
issuance of the National Identity Card to nationals61, and the other relating to documents
concerning foreigners62. A National Identification Documents Production Centre was
established63 to produce National Identity Cards, Residence Permits, or Refugee Cards. The
establishment of the said Centre resulted in an amendment of the organizational structure of
the General Delegation for National Security (DGSN) following which the Service for
Immigration which formerly performed the tasks referred to above continued to issue
travelling documents to Stateless persons64. The Centre that was inaugurated on 9 August
2016, can produce 600 identity cards with security features per hour with a special feature
according to which the identity number is unique and tagged with the beneficiary for life.
DGSN Services were deployed in the 350 identification stations and in the 50 mobile
registration stations nationwide to take the identification stations closer to the people. Thus,
20 mobile kits were distributed to Regional Delegations for National Security and which
could be used where and whenever necessary.
117- Restrictions in the freedom of movement aimed at guaranteeing the presence on the
national territory, of persons involved in judicial proceedings or to preserve the security of
persons in some Regions under administrative police powers. Such restrictions were
conducted under a curfew instituted by the Governors of Far North Region, North West
Region, and South West Region, and restriction of movement for motorcycles which is the
main means of transportation used by Boko Haram to commit suicide and other attacks.
61
Decree No. 2016/375 of 4 August 2016 to amend and supplement some provisions of Decree No. 2007/255 of
4 September 2007 to lay down the terms and conditions of enforcement of Law No. 97/12 of 10 January 1997 on
the characteristics of the National Identity Card, and the terms and conditions of establishment and issuance of
same.
62
Decree No. 2016/373 of 4 August 2016 to amend and supplement some provisions of Decree No. 2007/255 of
4 September 2007 to lay down the terms and conditions of enforcement of Law No. 97/12 of 10 January 1997 on
the conditions of entry into, resident and leaving Cameroon of foreigners.
63
See Decree No. 2016/374 of 4 August 2016 to lay down the organization, functioning and duties of the
National Centre for the Production of Identity Documents.
64
See Decree No. 2016/372 of 4 August 2016 to amend and supplement some provisions of Decree No. 2012/540
of 19 November 2012 to lay down the organization of the General Delegation for National Security.
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