Human Rights Issues in Cameroon in the Case of the Independentists Arrested in Nigeria and Extradited to Cameroon

Abstract

Since the 5th of January 2018, Mr. Sisiku Ayuk TABE and 46 other activists of the pro-independence movement of North-West and South-West (Ambazonia) of Cameroon have been arrested in Nigeria and extradited by the Government of Nigeria and recognized to be on Cameroon soil on the 29th of January 2018 by the then Cameroonian government Spokesman, Minister of Communication, Mr. Issa Tchiroma Bakari and that despite the advocacy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to the Government of Nigeria who in his letter of the 24th of January 2018 declares, among others, we quote ".... To ensure better management of migration flows in accordance with international humanitarian principles, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees continues its advocacy with the Nigerian authorities to safeguard the rights of those who have fled the crisis and to facilitate the supply humanitarian assistance to refugees in safety and dignity. The Office of the High Commissioner negotiated the release of certain asylum seekers arrested by the Nigerian authorities. For those in detention including the leader of the pro-independence group, the Nigerian government agreed to grant the High Commission access to determine their status. The Government has also reaffirmed to the High Commissioner that those in detention will not return to Cameroon. The article intends to present human rights challenges in Cameroon and how can be overcome. The article gives some recommendations in this regard.

Keywords: Human rights, Cameroon, Nigeria, Independence, Ambazonia