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(Nairobi)– Cameroon Authorities and security forces forcibly disappeared and apparently tortured social media activist Ramon Cota, Human Rights Watch said today. Cota, born Yves Kibui Bercho, had lived in Gabon for the past decade, where he also used the name Steve Akam. Tik Tok Video In the article, he criticized the Cameroonian authorities.
On August 20, 2024, lawyers representing Cota told Human Rights Watch that they lie in He is being held in a secure cell at the military court in the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde and is paralysed on the left side of his body and has “severe visual impairment” after being tortured in detention. video On July 21, a photo circulated on social media showing him in handcuffs and surrounded by Cameroonian police. Border Post Gabon and Cameroon clash in the Cameroonian town of Kaiossi. The authorities should immediately release Cota, ensure that he receives immediate, adequate and appropriate medical treatment, and investigate the torture and inhuman and degrading treatment he has apparently suffered while in detention.
“There are worrying reports that Kota may have lost his eyesight and ability to walk normally as a result of the torture, so urgent action is needed,” Ilaria AllegrozziSenior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Cameroonian authorities should ensure that he receives urgent, appropriate and adequate medical treatment and thoroughly investigate the apparent torture to which Cota was subjected.”
Cota’s lawyers said Gabonese police arrested their client in Libreville, Gabon’s capital, at around 10 a.m. on July 19 and held him in solitary confinement at an unknown location until July 21, when he was handed over to Cameroonian authorities. The authorities then took him to the Direction Générale de la Recherche Extérieure (DGRE), the headquarters of Cameroon’s intelligence service in Yaoundé. On July 24, Cota was transferred to the Secrétariat d’Etat à la défense, the headquarters of the National Gendarmerie, also in Yaoundé, where he remains in custody, his lawyers said.
Cota’s lawyers said DGRE members interrogated Cota twice and tortured him, including severely beating him during one interrogation, and subjected him to other inhumane and degrading treatment.
“Cota told us that DGRE agents tied his hands and feet, stepped on him repeatedly, and beat him several times,” said Hippolyte Tiakouang Meli, one of Cota’s lawyers. “He also reported that he was kept in a room and exposed to very bright lights through a projector, which caused him to have serious problems with his eyes.”
Cota’s lawyers say their client is charged with terrorist acts, rebellion, financing terrorism, arms trafficking and insulting the head of state and members of the Government. They say he was not brought before a judge but twice before a military prosecutor. “The first time, we were not informed,” said Meli. “The second time, on August 20, we were informed and could speak to our client.” Cameroonian law gives the military justice system jurisdiction over civilians accused of terrorism crimes, even though this is not in line with international norms. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has long called on Cameroon to reform this aspect of its law because it violates fair trial guarantees.
On August 7, Cotta’s attorney Request sent They sought information from the Cameroonian authorities on the situation and whereabouts of their client, but to no avail. Express There are concerns that Cameroonian authorities illegally deported Cota from Gabon to Cameroon and that he is Enforced disappearance.
this China-Africa Human Rights Defenders NetworkCameroon’s famous human rights organization Maurice KamtoMohammed bin Laden, chairman of Cameroon’s main opposition Ennahda party, also called on the authorities to immediately disclose Cota’s whereabouts.
The Cameroonian government has Suppressing the opposition In the run-up to the 2025 election, it has increasingly restricted freedom of expression and association.
In March, the Minister of Territorial Administration prohibit Two opposition alliancesIn June, gendarmes in Ngaoundéré, Adamawa State, Arrested again Renowned artist Aboubacar Siddiki, also known as Babadjo, for “insulting” the governor.
In July, the head of the Mfundi District issued a decree Threatened to ban anyone who insulted state institutions from the department. Also in July, intelligence officers in Douala, a coastal region Arrested Social media activist Junior Ngombe has been criticised for videos he posted on TikTok advocating for democratic change. bail July 31st.
On August 7 statement The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said after a visit to Cameroon that the pre-election process would be a “critical opportunity to ensure the free expression of political views.”
Human Rights Watch and other human rights groups have previously documented Torture and solitary confinement In Cameroon’s detention centres, including unpublished detention facilities, e.g. Military Camp.
Under human rights law, all forms of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment of detainees are strictly prohibited, and Cameroonian law provides that detainees may not be subjected to any physical or mental restraint or torture and that their lawyers and family members should be able to visit them at any time.
“The Cameroonian authorities and security forces have disrespected the work of social media activists, enforced Cota’s disappearance, and apparently tortured him,” Allegrozzi said. “They should urgently release him and ensure his rights are respected.”
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