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Last year we celebrated the de-criminalisation of sexual conduct between persons of the same sex in Burundi. While there is much still to be done to create an environment of equality and dignity for LGBTIQ+ persons, the decriminalisation was a step forward for SOGIE rights in Burundi. Unfortunately, 72 countries and territories around the world still criminalise sexual conduct between persons of the same sex according to the United Nations Development Programme.

This May 17^th, we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and embrace this year’s aim of promoting justice and protection for all. Contra Nocendi has engaged international human rights bodies to make clear that any discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation is contrary to international human rights law. This has included being extremely critical of the criminalisation of sexual conduct between persons of the same sex. We believe that such practices are arbitrary and in clear contradiction to international human rights law. We are unwavering in our support for SOGIE rights and have even entrenched SOGIE rights in our founding document.

While we were happy to see the decriminalisation of sexual conduct between persons of the same sex in Angola, we are still deeply concerned about the practical exercise of SOGIE rights in Africa. Far too many countries in Africa still criminalise sexual conduct between persons of the same sex and have other legislation on the books meant to discriminate LGBTIQ+ persons. Not only do such laws discriminate directly, they can also be seen as encouraging others to discriminate and view LGBTIQ+ persons as a threat. This is unacceptable and the governments of Africa must stop ignoring their obligations related to SOGIE rights.

This year also brought an amazing project called the Voices of Kenya, which provides a platform for LGBTIQ+ persons in Kenya to voice their experiences. Not only is the project a noble endeavour, it re-engages the world about the issue of discrimination against LGBTIQ+ persons ahead of an important judgement set to be handed down by Kenya’s High Court on 24 May.

As we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia; we wish to remind all LGBTIQ+ people in Africa exposed to discrimination and harm due to their sexual orientation or gender identity that there are many people out there that recognize their right to equality and justice. CNI will always be in your corner.

Press freedom, or freedom of the press, is invaluable right of all persons and is vital to the practical exercise of all human rights. In many parts of the world, journalists risk their safety and sometimes pay the ultimate price in order to bring to light some of most horrific abuses of power and of human dignity.

According to the International Press Institute, 12 journalists have died so far in 2019. This is such startling number. Journalists should not be targets of violence, but somehow these courageous human beings continue to sacrifice in the name of press freedom.

Contra Nocendi International condemns all efforts to violate press freedom. In Burundi and Cameroon, press freedom continues to be a serious issue. According to Reporters without Borders, Burundi ranks 159^th in the 2019 World Press Freedom index, while Cameroon is 131^st. Both countries create serious concerns for the ability of journalists to operate within their borders and bring much needed objective journalism to the people of Cameroon and Burundi as well as the world. Both governments must take a clear stance in support of press freedom.

We are concerned with the issue of press freedom, especially during elections. With Burundi and Cameroon, both countries will be holding elections in 2020. As we noted in our submission to the African Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Information in Africa related to the Draft Guidelines on the Freedom of Information and Elections in Africa, access to information during the electoral process is vital to a free and fair election. A free and fair election is not possible without freedom of the press.

As we mark World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, we pause to appreciate the sacrifices of so many journalists who suffered in pursuit of press freedom, and re-iterate our unwavering support in press freedom. As we look to the elections in Cameroon and Burundi next year, it is our sincere hope that both elections are able to be observed and reported on in a manner that promotes the freedom of the press.

As we mark Pre-trial Detention in Africa Day this year, we are mindful of the fact that arbitrary pre-trial detention is still a serious problem around the globe and in Africa. Our work with Contra Nocendi Cameroon has shown serious concerns about arbitrary detention, especially in the Southwest and Northwest regions. The issue of arbitrary and prolonged pre-trial detention in the Southwest and Northwest regions is of particular concern to us.

The use of pre-trial detention must take into account the rights of a person to a speedy trial and the right to not be arbitrarily detained. It must also be remembered that people held on pre-trial detention are being deprived of their liberty without being convicted of a crime. While there can be lawful pre-trial detentions, the prolonged and arbitrary detentions we have witnessed in Cameroon is truly unacceptable.

Contra Nocendi Cameroon successfully represented a man who had been held in pre-trial detention for over two years without a trial. This was despite the fact that had he been convicted of the crime he was alleged to have committed, the maximum sentence is one year. Unfortunately for far too many people in Cameroon, this story is not a outlier, but instead, it is an example of the suffering of far too many.

On this Pre-Trial Detention in Africa Day, we call on the authorities of Cameroon to respect the right to a speedy trial and the right to not be held in detention arbitrarily. These rights are enshrined in human rights and in Cameroonian domestic law. It is time to stop the needless suffering of far too many Cameroonians.

Contra Nocendi International is deeply concerned about an incident that occurred in Buea, Cameroon on 6 February 2019. In the early morning hours armed militants entered a neighbourhood in Buea at around 3am. They spent the next three hours firing automatic weapons into the area and burning several vehicles, including taxis and private cars. The incident, understandably, startled the residents of the neighbourhood. Approximately an hour after the militants left, security forces entered the neighbourhood and started what has been reported as mass arrests.

We are deeply troubled by this report and condemn the use of force and fear tactics by the armed militants. The destruction of private property, the use of automatic weapons and the timing of the incident leads us to believe that the aim of the event was to strike fear in the neighbourhood. This was done clearly without regard to the rights or safety of the people of the neighbourhood. The government of Cameroon must take steps to protect the local population from such acts of violence.

We are also concerned by the report of the conduct of security forces in which members of the security forces reportedly acted without regard for whether detained persons had any real link the attack the security forces were responding to. Such haphazard approaches tend to not take proper regard for the rights of the individuals in question and can lead to mistrust in the security services on the part of the local population. Many innocent civilians in the predominately English speaking regions are being caught between the violence of the non-state actors and violence of security forces. Security forces must recognize this and take the opportunity to correct their approach. Citizens should be looking to their security services for protection and not hiding from them in fear.

Cameroon’s women’s football team will soon be participating in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in France. The team was one of the three from Africa that qualified to represent the continent in the coveted world football championship. 

Cameroon’s team qualified after they emerged among the top three in the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Ghana between November 17 and December 1 last year. The other two teams that have qualified for the FIFA world cup along with Cameroon are South Africa and Nigeria.  

The team made it to the top three teams after defeating Mali in the match to secure the third place. The FIFA world cup for women will be held coming June. 

Cameroon had won the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. Contra Nocendi International and Contra Nocendi Cameroon congratulate the team on their feat and wish them the very best in France as they compete in the World Cup this summer.  

On 1 October 2008, the Republic of Cameroon took the noble step of signing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention was a vital step forward in the promotion of the rights and basic human dignity of persons with disabilities around the globe. It has been over 10 years since Cameroon signed the Convention and it still has not ratified the Convention. 10 years is far too long of a wait for Cameroonians with disabilities. The government of Cameroon must show its commitment to the rights of its citizens with disabilities and ratify the Convention.

The Convention itself aims “to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity”. These are indispensable rights and should be seen as a positive advancement to the human rights situation in any country that ratifies and domestically implements the Convention. The Convention deals with practical matters such as facilitating effective means of communications for persons with disability so that they can communicate and receive information. The ability to communicate is part of what makes human being so unique and special. It is something that we should facilitate for all persons.

Contra Nocendi International and Contra Nocendi Cameroon call upon the government of Cameroon to take steps to promote the rights of persons with disabilities and ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.