Mezam MP petitions NW Gov over human rights violations

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

The Member of Parliament of Mezam North (Tubah-Bafut Constituency) Hon. FusiNaamukong A Wilfred has in a letter addressed to the Governor of the North West region Adolf LeleLafrique condemned what he calls the “continuous and gross violations of the rights of the people” within his constituency since the crisis that have rocked the North West and South West regions started.

                The letter dated Feb 25 and titled “complaint against some BIR elements for Kidnapping, torture and gross violations of Human Rights” was made known to journalists in a Press statement on March 1, 2017 in Bamenda, North West Region.

                The MP in the letter regretted that the “military has transformed themselves into forces of torture, kidnapping, victimization, persecution, extortion of funds from helpless inhabitants, which action denies our people of their fundamental human rights”.

                While acknowledging that the people of his constituency have since the crisis started been sensitized to desist from actions that can compromise the peace and unity of Cameroon, Hon. FusiNaamukong expressed the wish that military officers of rank and file to conduct themselves in such a way as to maintain peace, order and social justice.

                He expressed disappointment at the fact that his “people have been arrested without any warrant, subject under investigation by military regiment not charged with investigation of crimes in the community”.

                Many of the people the MP revealed are in the hospital suffering after being brutalized and left helpless by the “presumed forces of law and order” nothing that such violations can only be seen in times of war.

                Hon. FusiNaamukong in the letter cited the case of one MrAmbe Joseph Nkwah, a business man who was on Feb 5, 2017 on his way from Bafut to Bamenda after watching the first halve of the African Nations Cup between Cameroon and Egypt arrested, brutalized and locked up on groundless charges that he was circulating anti government tracks but was later released without an apology when they was no evidence to back up the charge.

                The MP expressed the wish that the Governor who is the operational command officer of the various Military Units within the region should not only call the elements of BIR to order but also cause disciplinary actions and criminal sanctions to be meted out on them.

                “Our Governor, help us by ending this undeclared state of emergency. Stop this continuous arrest of teachers and civilians for peace to reign. A good society does not flourish on injustice and it is my humble believe that until justice is done or seen to be done, those officers will remain hunted by our prayers”   Hon. FusiNaamukong reiterates.