Bamenda, Buea Strikes: Rights Commission To Investigate Violations

The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms on December 21, 2016 adopted the 2017 plan of action.

The Chairman of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF), Dr Chemuta Divine Banda says the commission will in 2017 continue to promote and protect human rights in Cameroon within the limits of the budget allocated the institution.

Dr Banda was speaking in Yaounde, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 while chairing the commission’s 21st ordinary session dedicated to the adoption of its budget for 2017 financial year and the plan of action for the same year. He said the budget of the commission for 2017 stood at FCFA 1.4 billion up from FCFA 1.2 billion in the currently expiring 2016 financial year. Among the key issues the commission will tackle in 2017 will be the investigation into allegations of violations of human rights committed during the recent violent protests that gripped Bamenda in the North West Region, as well as Buea and Kumba in the South West Region.

With regard to the strike actions, Dr Banda said they were characterised by human rights violations which were noted both by the commission’s regional offices and at the head office. The Commission, he said, on December 2, 2016 issued a statement calling for restraint and dialogue by opposition parties and for investigations into...