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• Commissioners to promote public awareness of human rights

Commissioners to promote public awareness of human rights

21 June 2007

Cameroon workshop recommendations include establishing a direct helpline for victims of human rights violations

Cameroon Human Rights Commissioners have agreed to embark on a public awareness campaign to inform citizens about their role in protecting and promoting human rights.

At a Commonwealth workshop held from 4 to 6 June 2007 in Yaoundé, participants noted that more needed to be done to promote the country’s National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) and its work.

“NCHRF must start discharging its mandate under the 2004 legislation, giving a wide interpretation, and should embark on a public awareness campaign to inform the public about the existence of the Commission, its powers and activities,” they said in a statement.

The Commission was reconstituted in 2004 by the Cameroon Government with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Its mandate includes the capacity to protect and promote human rights, and conduct all inquiries and necessary investigations on the violation of human rights and freedoms.

Key recommendations included holding regular public hearings and enhancing the public image of the Commission through workshops involving stakeholders, parliamentarians, civil servants and the non-governmental community.

Commissioners also agreed to draft a strategic plan in order to identify priority areas, to open more regional offices, to strengthen existing ones and to publicise its findings. A direct helpline for victims of human rights violations would be set up, as well as a user-friendly website where the general public can source information.

Commenting on the workshop, Dr Chemuta Divine Banda, Chairperson of the Commission, said: “The workshop has helped to prepare the ground for future networking in the promotion and protection of human rights.

“This institution now needs a befitting head office and branch offices in all the provinces to bring its services closer to the people.”

Delegates emphasised the need to immediately address legal deficiencies which are preventing it from becoming a full member of the International Co-ordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. By doing so, the Commission will also comply with the Paris Principles and the Commonwealth Best Practice Principles for National Human Rights Institutions.

The Paris Principles, adopted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in 1993, outline international standards relating to the status, competence and responsibilities of national human rights institutions. Commonwealth Best Practice Principles were developed in 2001 as part of a toolkit to establish such institutions in the Commonwealth.

Jarvis Matiya, Human Rights Adviser at the Secretariat stated, “National human rights institutions have a vital role to play in promoting public awareness and the protection of citizens’ rights.”

Commissioner Nana Abunaw Marie said: “The workshop came at the right time to train us on our expectations in the field of protecting human rights, especially on the eve of the legislative and municipal elections in Cameroon billed for 22 July 2007. I learned a lot about my responsibilities as a human rights commissioner and also on the role of the Commission in advocating for a rights-based approach to development.”

Experts from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rights and Democracy of Canada, and the Kenya National Commission of Human Rights also attended the workshop.