- - - enabling instrument of Law No. 97/3 of 10 January 1997 on real estate development; Decree No. 2015/292 of 29 June 2015 establishing the General Census of Agriculture and Livestock in Cameroon; Decree No. 2016/34 of 21 January 2016 to upgrade the amount of family allowance; Decree No. 2016/72 of 15 February 2016 to fix the amount of social security contributions and remuneration ceilings applicable in the areas of family allowance, old age pension, disability pension, death benefits, industrial injury and occupational diseases managed by the National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF); Decree No. 2017/877/PM of 28 February 2017 to lay down the terms and conditions of authenticating the articles of association of the private limited company in Company Establishment Formality Centres in Cameroon; and Decree No. 2018/366 of 20 June 2018 to lay down the Public Contracts Code. Section 3: Development of the Institutional Framework 17- The institutional framework was significantly enhanced with the consolidation and effective functioning of existing institutions, and the establishment of new ones. In addition to coordination institutions for administrative action or management of specific issues that will be discussed in the different parts of this Report, the institutional drive was characterised by the determination to consolidate the democratic process, step up the participation of citizens in the management of public affairs and preserve the Cameroon Nation’s special identity. In this regard, the following institutions can be mentioned: - the Constitutional Council which is functional since 6 March 2018, the date its members10 took their oath of office before Parliament sitting in congress; - the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) where new members11 were appointed and it witnessed a steady increase in its human and financial resources within the limits of available means, with the aim of consolidating its independence. The NCHRF has 9 branch offices nationwide, 8 of which are functional and it publishes a yearly Report on Human Rights. This institution was conferred the mandate of the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture provided for by the Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Rec. 11); - the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCPBM) which is in charge of working towards promoting bilingualism and multiculturalism in Cameroon, with a view to maintaining peace, consolidating national unity of the country and stepping up the determination and daily practice of living together by the people12; - the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MINDDEVEL) established during the Cabinet Reshuffle of 2 March 2018 falls in line with the aim of speeding up the decentralization process and promotion of local development; and - the Commission for Compensation of Victims of Illegal Detention in Cameroon that became functional during the reference period. 10 Members were appointed on 7 February 2018 by the following Decrees: Decree No. 2018/105 of 7 February 2018 to appoint members of the Constitutional Council; Decree No. 2018/106 of 7 February 2018 to appoint the President of the Constitutional Council. The administrative structure was set up by Decree No. 2018/104 of 7 February 2018 to lay down the organization and functioning of the Secretariat General of the Constitutional Council. Officials of the said Secretariat General were appointed by the following Decrees: Decree No. 2018/170 of 23 February 2018 to appoint the Secretary-General of the Constitutional Council; Decree No. 2018/445 of 31 July 2018 to appoint officials of the Secretariat General of the Constitutional Council. 11 The new members were appointed by Decree No. 2014/399 of 8 October 2014 to renew the term of office of some members of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms. 12 See Article 3 of Decree No. 2017/13 of 23 January 2017 to set up and lay down the organization and functioning of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism 7