Cameroon: Failure to Release 23 Detainees over September 2020 Protests is ‘Deeply Disappointing’

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Responding to the news that a request to release 23 protesters from detention, all of whom were convicted for participating in a September 2020 protest in Douala, including Dorgelesse Nguessan, a 37-year-old single mother, has been rejected by the High Court of Wouri, Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said:

We are deeply disappointed that the authorities have failed to recognize the arbitrary nature of the ongoing detention of these protestors. Arresting and imprisoning people solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly is an arbitrary act and fails to meet Cameroon’s obligations under international human rights law.”

Samira Daoud, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa

“These 23 protestors have not committed a single crime and should be immediately and unconditionally released. All others detained in the country for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly must also be freed.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.