ÿWPC“ •ÞÖÓä#£{ºxnGùÚ2­9ÌoI?jáäüSLÉfþgL–׊8jl‰„RpåðìS®F– iœ4+¼;>‹©ö½|9òH˜=>&ÕДںó©~qÙ‰–܃yýìð3¢#ô ]×ñ,—ÑN©‚kô!qo™À€¤çÛ+àY/*Óœ³(bÀÙyƒÂWQ)RÍÅøœ oQlåÿ¤Cú÷»@þ¶¿j2ÐáSw‹z •'ÉÑŸ”=Éó r.YwßkSÇ»ÔØ~*®ÂRòöUÜ•à ¥®®gÚéı†ÁÑc@aäPŒ%[¼ù¯‚Ub·ß~…ø´¯b^8$³ø^ç£ÎMPï°à1ë³y¿ò.©¦)ÿåh Æo~ÛŒñ@f‹4!:'%aIùÔµrÄf_ưTú¢^dzÏ+e×—‹Ò.·Â[Øœ|°ô‘Â‰Š±¬Ú z;— Ýa¡Æ;Í(â_Nó´)`†é–Ÿû] ?%¹¬¸×V~>õöW}ë1Im`%¾‰«2pÒ¬¹£{uxê„ÎÃÁµ(Æl¡€Âuìòé¤J®Œo…Så¡z„ªÈŠærÇbî^qƒ\h-‡gÛʤô"^íÔ§We¥î%Û3µæÂ¢«Ó&Ñc°#Á4UNõ %C 0:I^ ƒw4“§¶ m¸Ï×í 0VYNooooo"q˜HP LaserJet 4P,ü,,,,,ü0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$¡¡ÔUSUS.,Ô0‚s, ñkr,Œ ž3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ  Ñ ° Ñ Ñ ° Ñ(.3½Þ$¦¦Ý ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  Ý Ñ ° Ñ Ñ ° ÑÑ ° ÑÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÓ  ÓÔ‡¼ì»XXÔò òÑ€dOÑÑ€ OaÑÑ€ OaÑÑ€OYÑCAMEROONó óÔ#†X»˜X»¼ìI#ÔÐ ° ÐÌÓ  Óò òÔ_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô€A/44/40€Ô_Ô(1989)ó óÔ_ÔÐ ° ÐÌÌ454.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Cameroon€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/36/Add.4)€at€its€898òòthóó,Ð t Ä Ð899òòthóó€and€903òòrdóó€meetings,€held€on€12€and€14€July€1989€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/SR.898,€899€and€903).Ð ` ° ÐÌ455.€€The€report€was€introduced€by€the€representative€of€the€State€party€who,€while€emphasizing€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðefforts€made€by€his€Government€to€implement€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant,€nevertheless€indicatedÐ $ t  Ðadditional€efforts€needed€to€be€envisaged.€€The€dialogue€with€the€members€of€the€Committee€wasÐ `  Ða€method€of€identifying€the€possible€shortcomings€in€the€Cameroonian€legal€framework€as€well€asÐ üL  Ðthe€improvements€that€should€be€made€to€it.€€He€specified,€however,€that€the€study€of€the€humanÐ è8  Ðrights€situation€in€Cameroon€should€be€placed€in€the€social€and€historical€context€of€an€evolvingÐ Ô$  Ðyoung€nation.Ð À  ÐÌ456.€€Members€of€the€Committee€welcomed€the€report€of€Cameroon.€€Nevertheless,€they€expressedÐ ˜è Ðregret€that€it€had€been€submitted€late,€that€it€did€not€provide€sufficient€detail€on€the€measures€takenÐ „Ô Ðto€assure€the€practical€implementation€of€the€Covenant€and€that€it€did€not€contain€any€statistical€data.Ð pÀ ÐÌ457.€€With€reference€to€article€2€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€expressed€the€wish€toÐ H˜ Ðhave€€more€information€on€the€legal€status€of€the€international€human€rights€instruments,€and€moreÐ 4„ Ðespecially€the€Covenant,€in€Cameroonian€domestic€law.€€They€regretted€in€particular€that€theÐ  p ÐConstitution€of€2€June€1972,€unlike€that€of€4€March€1960,€made€no€reference€to€the€primacy€of€rulesÐ  \ Ðof€international€law€over€Cameroonian€domestic€law.€€However,€noting€that€the€Criminal€CodeÐ øH Ðprovided€that€ratified€and€promulgated€treaties€should€take€precedence€over€Cameroonian€criminalÐ ä4 Ðlaw,€they€wished€to€know€what€was€the€status€of€the€many€provisions€of€the€Covenant€that€did€notÐ Ð  Ðdeal€with€criminal€issues.€€Moreover,€it€was€noted€that€provisions€of€the€Covenant€that€did€deal€withÐ ¼  Ðcriminal€issues€usually€did€not€apply€automatically€but€involved€an€obligation€for€the€State€party€toÐ ¨ø Ðprovide€penalties€in€its€own€legislation€for€the€crimes€or€offences€they€defined.€€Consequently,€it€wasÐ ”ä Ðasked€whether€such€provisions€had€been€adopted€by€the€Cameroonian€authorities.€€It€was€also€askedÐ € Ð Ðwhether€such€provisions€of€the€Covenant€could€be€invoked€directly€before€the€courts€or€theÐ l!¼ Ðadministration,€whether€the€latter€could€apply€them€directly€and,€if€so,€whether€examples€could€beÐ X"¨  Ðgiven.€€Finally,€it€was€asked€whether€any€court€could€hear€cases€concerning€human€rights€violationsÐ D#”! Ðregardless€of€the€nature€of€the€infringement€and€the€special€competence€of€the€court.Ð 0$€" ÐÌ458.€€Members€of€the€Committee€also€inquired€whether€the€Covenant€had€been€published,€whetherÐ &X!$ Ðit€had€been€translated€into€the€various€languages€spoken€in€Cameroon€and€whether€it€had€beenÐ ô&D"% Ðdistributed€extensively,€particularly€within€the€legal€and€administrative€departments€responsible€forÐ à'0#& Ðapplying€it.€€Additionally,€they€wondered€whether€it€was€intended€to€establish€a€national€humanÐ Ì($' Ðrights€commission€in€Cameroon,€and€whether€there€were€any€non„governmental€organizationsÐ ¸)%( Ðdealing€with€human€rights€in€the€country€and,€if€so,€what€kind€of€working€relationship€they€had€withÐ ¤*ô%) Ðthe€Government.Ð +à&* ÐÌ459.€€Members€of€the€Committee€requested€more€detailed€information€on€the€current€political€regimeÐ h-¸(, ÐÑdOÑâ âѰ°ÑѰ°Ñâ âÑ  ÑÔ_Ôin€Cameroon.€€They€noted€in€particular€that€notwithstanding€the€constitutional€provisions€envisagingÐ ° Ðthe€institution€of€a€multi„party€system,€the€country€had€decided€upon€a€single„party€system,€theÐ œì ÐDemocratic€Assembly€Party€of€the€Cameroonian€People,€while€awaiting€a€change€in€peopleððsÐ ˆØ Ðattitudes€to€a€multi„party€system.€€They€asked€why€the€Government€continued€to€think€the€countryÐ tÄ Ðwas€not€ripe€for€a€multi€party€system;€whether€the€existence€of€a€single€party€was€compatible€withÐ `° Ðthe€provisions€of€the€Constitution;€and€how€the€opinions€of€other€political€tendencies€were€taken€intoÐ L œ Ðaccount€under€the€current€single„party€regime.€€Several€members€were€also€at€pains€to€stress€that€anÐ 8 ˆ Ðeffective€defense€of€human€rights€went€hand€in€hand€with€a€multi„party€system.€€With€regard€to€theÐ $ t Ðorganization€of€elections€in€Cameroon,€additional€information€was€requested€on€the€requirementsÐ  ` Ðthat€had€to€be€met€by€a€political€party€in€order€to€have€a€legal€existence;€on€whether€movements€hadÐ ü L  Ðin€effect€expressed€a€desire€to€form€political€parties;€on€the€need€for€a€candidate€for€the€post€of€Ð è 8  ÐPresident€of€the€Republic€to€secure€the€support€of€ð ðhigh„ranking€traditional€chiefsðð;€on€the€possibilityÐ Ô$  Ðfor€a€single€party€to€present€several€candidates€at€the€same€election;€and€on€the€outcome€of€the€1987Ð À  Ðand€1988€elections.€€Lastly,€clarification€was€sought€about€the€meaning€of€the€term€ð ðindirect€Ð ¬ü  Ðuniversal€suffrageðð€used€in€article€2€of€the€Constitution.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ460.€€With€regard€to€article€3€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€asked€which€were€theÐ pÀ Ðpractical€difficulties€encountered€by€Cameroon€on€the€subject€of€equality€of€men€and€women.€€TheyÐ \¬ Ðhighlighted€the€cases€in€which€a€widow€was€required€to€observe€a€period€of€widowhood€before€sheÐ H˜ Ðcould€remarry€and€in€which€case€a€married€woman€was€required€to€produce€her€husbandððsÐ 4„ Ðauthorization€to€be€able€to€leave€the€national€territory€and€they€inquired€whether€there€were€otherÐ  p Ðinstances€of€inequality€of€men€and€women.€€They€also€inquired€whether€there€was€not€a€certainÐ  \ Ðdegree€of€resistance€to€the€right€stemming€from€the€population,€particularly€that€of€the€MuslimÐ øH Ðreligion,€to€equality€of€men€and€women€in€matters€of€succession;€what€was€the€proportion€of€womenÐ ä4 Ðin€comparison€with€men€in€parliament;€and€whether€Cameroonian€courts€were€required€to€follow€theÐ Ð  Ðjudicial€precedent€of€the€Supreme€Court€upholding€the€civil€equality€of€men€and€women.Ð ¼  ÐÌ461.€€With€regard€to€article€4,€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€expressed€their€concernÐ ”ä Ðabout€€the€conditions€in€which€a€state€of€emergency€might€be€proclaimed€in€Cameroon.€€Noting€that,Ð €Ð Ðin€the€past,€the€President€of€the€Republic€had€himself€issued€the€decree€proclaiming€a€state€ofÐ l¼ Ðemergency,€they€inquired€to€what€extent€both€the€proclamation€of€the€state€of€emergency€and€theÐ X ¨ Ðenforcement€measures€taken€could€be€subjected€to€legislative€or€judicial€control€or€supervision.Ð D!” ÐFurther,€they€inquired€which€rights€set€forth€in€the€Covenant€could€be€suspended€during€the€state€ofÐ 0"€  Ðemergency€and€whether€there€was€any€machinery€to€guarantee€that€the€stipulation€of€article€4,Ð #l! Ðparagraph€2,€of€the€Covenant€were€respected.€€In€connection€with€the€extension€of€the€state€ofÐ $X" Ðemergency,€they€asked€whether€the€Presidentððs€option€of€extending€the€state€of€emergency€forÐ ô$D # Ðperiods€of€six€month€was€not€likely€to€keep€the€country€indefinitely€in€this€exceptional€situation.Ð à%0!$ ÐNoting€that€certain€regions€were€in€effect€under€a€state€of€emergency€due€to€acts€of€flagrant€banditryÐ Ì&"% Ðand€a€high€crime€rate,€they€stressed€that€this€reason€alone€would€not€warrant€the€maintenance€of€theÐ ¸'#& Ðstate€of€emergency€under€the€terms€of€the€Covenant.€€They€also€asked€whether€the€proclamation€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€state€of€emergency€had€been€duly€notified€to€other€State€parties€to€the€Covenant€and€whatÐ )à$( Ðremedies€were€available€to€citizens€who€considered€that€they€were€victims€of€an€arbitrary€or€unjustÐ |*Ì%) Ðact€during€this€period,€particularly€in€respect€of€restricted€residence€measures,€house€searches€andÐ h+¸&* Ðmeasures€restricting€freedom€of€expression.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ÐÑ OaÑâ  âѰ°Ñâ  âÑ  Ñ462.€€Explanations€were€requested€on€article€5€of€the€Covenant,€notably€the€possibility€that€an€officialÐ ° Ðmight€be€brought€before€the€courts€for€infringement€of€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant.€Ð œì ÐÌ463.€€Turning€to€article€6€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€asked€for€clarification€on€theÐ tÄ Ðcrimes€and€offences€punishable€by€the€death€penalty.€€They€wished€to€know€whether,€in€conformityÐ `° Ðwith€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant,€minors€were€exempted€from€this€penalty;€whether€the€deathÐ L œ Ðsentence€could€be€pronounced€for€a€political€offence;€how€many€executions€had€been€carried€out€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðhow€many€pardons€granted€in€recent€years;€and€how€many€prisoners€were€awaiting€execution.€€TheyÐ $ t Ðalso€wondered€whether€a€death€sentence€could€be€appealed€against€on€legal€grounds€or€whether€itsÐ  ` Ðcommutation€depended€entirely€on€presidential€pardon.€€More€detailed€information€was€requestedÐ ü L  Ðon€the€criteria€used€by€the€President€of€the€Republic€in€exercising€his€right€of€pardon€and€on€theÐ è 8  Ðprovisions€regulating€capital€punishment€incurred€for€cases€of€violence€or€physical€assaultsÐ Ô$  Ðcommitted€against€a€government€employee.€€With€regard€to€abortion,€the€question€was€asked€whyÐ À  Ðonly€the€mother,€considered€to€be€a€principal€in€the€first€degree€or€an€accomplice€in€the€murder€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðher€child€in€the€month€of€its€birth,€was€punishable€whereas€the€other€principals€or€accomplices€wereÐ ˜è  Ðnot,€and€more€generally,€clarifications€were€demanded€on€the€subject€of€€the€prohibition€of€Ð „Ô  Ðabortions.Ð pÀ ÐÌ464.€€With€regard€to€articles€7€and€10€of€the€Covenant,€members€asked€which€remedies€wereÐ H˜ Ðavailable€to€victims€of€the€acts€of€torture€and€which€penalties€were€prescribed€for€officials€guilty€ofÐ 4„ Ðcommitting€such€acts.€€More€specifically,€the€question€was€raised€as€to€whether€cases€of€that€kindÐ  p Ðhad€occurred€in€Cameroon€€and,€if€so,€whether€the€culprits€had€been€found€and€punished.€Ð  \ ÐInformation€was€also€requested€about€legislation€relating€to€other€cruel,€inhuman€or€degradingÐ øH Ðtreatment€or€punishment.€€Members€asked€whether€cases€occurred€in€which€juvenile€prisoners€wereÐ ä4 Ðnot€segregated€from€adults€owing€to€lack€of€room€in€the€detention€center€for€juveniles;€what€wereÐ Ð  Ðthe€measures€taken€by€law,€that€according€to€the€report,€were€applied€to€criminally€responsibleÐ ¼  Ðjuveniles€between€10€and€14€years€of€age;€whether€prisoners€received€the€income€earned€from€theirÐ ¨ø Ðproductive€activities;€and€in€the€final€analysis,€whether€the€minimum€rules€for€the€treatment€ofÐ ”ä Ðprisoners€were€respected€in€Cameroon.Ð €Ð ÐÌ465.€€One€member€asked€whether€the€arrangements€for€national€civic€service€and€community€serviceÐ X ¨ Ðwere€in€conformity€with€the€provisions€of€article€8€of€the€Covenant.Ð D!” ÐÌ466.€€In€relation€to€article€9€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€wished€to€obtain€moreÐ #l! Ðinformation€on€the€difficulties€mentioned€in€the€report€relating€to€pre„trial€detention€and€custody.€ForÐ $X" Ðinstance,€it€was€asked€what€was€the€mandate€of€the€committee€to€consider€the€problems€of€pre„trialÐ ô$D # Ðdetention€and€custody€and€whether€the€latter€had€already€submitted€any€conclusions€or€observations.Ð à%0!$ ÐMore€detailed€information€was€requested€about€the€annual€meetings€of€public€prosecutors€to€assessÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€progress€made€in€the€sphere€of€the€protection€of€individual€liberties€and€in€relation€to€theÐ ¸'#& Ðfunctions€of€the€special€operations€brigade.€€Concern€was€also€expressed€about€the€conditions€ofÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcustody€and€in€particular€its€exertion€beyond€the€legal€period€of€96€hours.€€Clarification€was€soughtÐ )à$( Ðas€to€whether€prisoners€were€held€in€administrative€detention€beyond€the€expiry€of€their€sentencesÐ |*Ì%) Ðbecause€they€had€not€repented€and€were€believed€to€represent€a€continuing€threat.€€Further,Ð h+¸&* Ðexplanations€were€requested€about€detention€of€persons€sentenced€for€political€reasons,€the€right€ofÐ T,¤'+ Ðanyone€held€in€custody€to€be€visited€by€a€lawyer€and€by€members€of€his€family,€and€conditions€Ô_ÔofÐ @-(, ÐÑ OaÑâ  âѰ°Ñâ  âÑ  Ñdetention€for€abandoned€children€or€persons€suffering€from€mental€problems.€€It€was€also€inquiredÐ ° Ðwhether€òòhabeas€corpusóó€existed€in€Cameroon€and,€if€so,€how€it€was€implemented.Ð œì ÐÌ467.€€With€regard€to€articles€12€and€13€of€the€Covenant,€members€asked€for€explanations€on€theÐ tÄ Ðrestrictions€to€the€right€to€leave€Cameroonian€territory,€particularly€those€relating€to€the€reasons€thatÐ `° Ðjustified€leaving€the€country€and€the€obligation€imposed€on€a€Cameroonian€national€desiring€to€leaveÐ L œ Ðthe€territory€to€prove€that€he€was€to€provide€himself€with€accommodation€and€to€meet€his€own€needsÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€the€obligation€for€a€married€woman€to€produce€her€husbandððs€authorization.€€MembersÐ $ t Ðcommented€that€these€conditions€seemed€to€them€to€be€incompatible€with€the€article€12€of€theÐ  ` ÐCovenant.€€Furthermore,€it€was€asked€whether€the€passport€of€a€Cameroonian€national€who€wasÐ ü L  Ðpresent€in€the€country€remained€in€his€possession€or€was€required€to€be€deposited,€whether€it€wasÐ è 8  Ðnecessary€for€nationals€to€obtain€an€exit€visa€to€leave€the€country€and€how€the€right€to€freedom€ofÐ Ô$  Ðmovement€within€the€country€was€applied€in€practice.€€Additionally,€it€was€inquired€whether,€in€caseÐ À  Ðof€expulsion,€aliens€had€a€right€of€recourse€before€an€impartial€body€and€whether,€€such€recourse€hadÐ ¬ü  Ða€suspensive€effect€on€the€deportation€order.€€Finally,€in€the€case€of€aliens€whose€departure€wasÐ ˜è  Ðopposed€by€the€government€departments,€State„owned€establishments€and€partly€State„ownedÐ „Ô  Ðcompanies,€it€was€asked€what€particular€remedies€were€available€to€them€against€such€decisions.Ð pÀ ÐÌ468.€€In€relation€to€article€14€of€the€Covenant,€specific€information€was€requested€on€the€way€inÐ H˜ Ðwhich€the€independence€of€the€judiciary€was€guaranteed€and€on€the€conditions€for€the€recruitment,Ð 4„ Ðappointment€and€promotion€of€judges.€€In€particular,€in€view€of€the€possibility€for€the€President€ofÐ  p Ðthe€Republic€to€designate€persons€to€the€Supreme€Court€when€it€ruled€on€Constitutional€affairs,€itÐ  \ Ðwas€asked€how€the€independence€and€the€impartiality€of€the€Supreme€Court€could€be€trulyÐ øH Ðguaranteed.€€Members€wished€to€have€additional€information€on€the€spheres€of€the€competence€ofÐ ä4 Ðthe€military€courts€and€their€relationship€with€ordinary€courts.€€Noting€that€these€military€courts€couldÐ Ð  Ðin€certain€cases€try€civilians,€that€their€proceeding€were€held€òòin€cameraóó€and€that€their€decisions€didÐ ¼  Ðnot€appear€to€be€appealable,€several€members€inquired€about€the€compatibility€of€these€practices€withÐ ¨ø Ðthe€provisions€of€article€14€of€the€Covenant.€€It€was€also€asked€what€was€meant€by€the€descendantsÐ ”ä Ðin€the€report€according€to€which€the€accused€could€reject€any€member€of€the€judiciary€whoseÐ €Ð Ðimpartiality€he€had€serious€cause€to€doubt.€€With€regard€to€the€organization€of€the€judiciary,Ð l¼ Ðadditional€information€was€requested€on€the€courts€of€traditional€(or€customary)€law€and€theirÐ X ¨ Ðrelationship€with€the€courts€of€modern€law;€on€legal€aid,€particularly€for€minors;€and€on€theÐ D!” Ðorganization€of€the€defense€and€the€period€of€time€the€accused€person€was€allowed€for€theÐ 0"€  Ðpreparation€of€his€defense.€€Further€information€was€also€sought€on€the€penalties€applicable€to€minorsÐ #l! Ðaged€14€and€over.€€Information€was€also€sought€on€the€possibility€for€the€Ministry€of€Justice€to€orderÐ $X" Ðnew€hearings€on€all€proceedings€relating€to€threats€to€state€security€and€on€the€difficulties€that€mightÐ ô$D # Ðarise.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ469.€€With€regard€to€article€17€of€the€Covenant,€members€of€the€Committee€sought€more€informationÐ ¸'#& Ðabout€unlawful€entry€and€search€of€premises€ordered€by€the€Ministry€of€Armed€Forces.€€Furthermore,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðit€was€asked€whether€there€was€any€monitoring€of€the€correspondence€of€banned€political€parties€and,Ð )à$( Ðif€so,€under€what€authority.€€It€was€also€asked€whether€there€were€any€secret€societies€in€CameroonÐ |*Ì%) Ðand,€if€so,€on€the€methods€adopted€to€combat€this€phenomenon€in€€view€of€the€need€to€protectÐ h+¸&* Ðprivacy.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ÐÑOYÑâ âѰ°Ñâ âÑ  Ñ470.€€In€relation€to€article€18€of€the€Covenant,€members€inquired€about€the€legal€bases€for€theÐ ° Ðrestrictions€imposed€on€the€exercise€of€freedom€of€religion,€particularly€with€respect€to€theÐ œì Ðprohibition€of€certain€sects,€such€as€Jehovahððs€Witnesses€and€their€compatibility€with€theÐ ˆØ Ðrequirements€of€the€article€and€the€limitations€it€authorized.€Ð tÄ ÐÌ471.€€With€reference€to€the€freedom€of€expression,€members€of€the€Committee€€wished€to€receiveÐ L œ Ðfurther€information€on€prior€censorship,€which€the€law€of€21€December€1966€made€provision€for,Ð 8 ˆ Ðand€on€its€compatibility€with€the€requirements€of€article€19€of€the€Covenant.€€It€was€further€askedÐ $ t Ðwhether€spreading€false€news€was€an€offence€under€Cameroonian€law€and,€if€so,€whether€the€burdenÐ  ` Ðof€proof€lay€with€the€accused€or€with€the€public€prosecutor.€€Additional€information€was€also€soughtÐ ü L  Ðon€the€issue€of€the€state€monopoly€of€the€audio„visual€media,€particularly€with€regard€to€the€specialÐ è 8  Ðprovisions€made€for€private€bodies.€€Referring€to€the€freedom€of€expression€created€by€the€monopolyÐ Ô$  Ðof€this€kind,€members€sought€information€on€the€regulation€of€the€use€of€information€organs€byÐ À  Ðcitizens.€€Finally,€clarification€were€also€sought€on€the€right€of€reply€provided€when€an€individualÐ ¬ü  Ðhad€incurred€charges€prejudicial€to€his€honor.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ472.€€In€respect€of€articles€21€and€22€of€the€Covenant,€members€inquired€as€to€how€the€rights€ofÐ pÀ Ðassociation€and€of€peaceful€assembly€and€the€right€to€strike€were€regulated,€and€how€many€tradeÐ \¬ Ðunions€there€were€in€Cameroon€and€how€the€conciliation€and€arbitration€procedures€prior€to€theÐ H˜ Ðexercise€of€the€right€to€strike€functioned.€€Additionally,€it€was€inquired€whether€the€right€to€peacefulÐ 4„ Ðassembly€was€accorded€to€aliens€as€well€as€to€citizens€and,€if€so,€what€legislation€governed€theÐ  p Ðholding€of€meetings€by€aliens.Ð  \ ÐÌ473.€€Concerning€articles€23€and€24€of€the€Covenant,€members€asked€whether€there€were€instancesÐ ä4 Ðof€resistance€to€modern€law€in€respect€of€the€consent€of€the€spouses€to€marriage,€according€to€whatÐ Ð  Ðcriteria€dispensations€from€the€minimum€age€for€marriage€could€be€granted€and€whether€there€wasÐ ¼  Ða€difference€in€status€between€legitimate€children€and€illegitimate€children,€particularly€in€questionsÐ ¨ø Ðof€succession.€€Information€was€also€sought€on€the€practical€application€of€the€provisions€relatingÐ ”ä Ðto€the€limitations€on€the€parentsðð€choice€of€name€and€first€name€for€their€child.Ð €Ð ÐÌ474.€€Pointing€out€that€the€provisions€of€the€article€25€of€the€Covenant€were€not€confined€to€theÐ X ¨ Ðexercise€of€the€right€to€vote€and€could€not€be€equated€with€the€right€to€self„determination,€membersÐ D!” Ðsought€additional€information€on€the€application€of€this€provision€in€Cameroon.€€In€particular,€theyÐ 0"€  Ðrequested€more€detailed€information€on€the€subject€of€admission€to€the€Civil€Service€and€the€equalÐ #l! Ðparticipation€of€Cameroonians,€particularly€those€coming€from€the€north€of€the€country€or€fromÐ $X" Ðprovinces€formerly€under€British€trusteeship,€in€the€affairs€of€the€country.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ475.€€In€connection€with€article€27€of€the€Covenant,€members€wished€to€obtain€more€information€onÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€day„to„day€situation€prevailing€in€the€country€in€respect€of€the€rights€of€minorities€and€on€theÐ ¸'#& Ðethnic€composition€of€the€population.€In€particular,€it€was€asked€what€measures€were€taken€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðpreserve€the€cultures,€languages€and€religions€peculiar€to€certain€regions€and€to€better€integrateÐ )à$( Ðcertain€ethnic€groups€such€as€the€ð ðÔ_ÔbamilekesÔ_Ôðð€into€the€political€life€of€the€country.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ476.€€In€reply€to€questions€concerning€the€status€of€the€Covenant€in€Cameroonian€law,€theÐ T,¤'+ Ðrepresentative€of€the€State€party€explained€that€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant€had€been€incorporatedÐ @-(, Ðin€the€legal€system€of€Cameroon.€€He€added€that€once€an€international€instrument€had€been€ratifiedÐ ° Ðby€the€president€acting€with€the€authority€of€the€legislative,€the€provisions€of€that€treaty€automaticallyÐ œì Ðbecome€an€integral€part€of€domestic€legislation.€€Freedom€and€equality€had€always€to€be€seen€againstÐ ˆØ Ðthe€political€background€and€the€existing€legal€system,€whose€archaic€structures€had€been€criticizedÐ tÄ Ðby€the€President€himself.€€However€a€new€dynamic€policy€was€being€pursued€with€the€aim€ofÐ `° Ðestablishing€a€genuine€democracy€in€which€all€citizens€would€be€free€to€act€as€they€wished€under€theÐ L œ Ðlaw€and€a€charter€of€basic€freedoms€was€to€be€promulgated€shortly.€€Although€a€single„party€politicalÐ 8 ˆ Ðsystem€was€in€force€at€present,€pluralistic€democracy€was€the€ultimate€aim.Ð $ t ÐÌ477.€€Commenting€on€questions€raised€under€article€3€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€drewÐ ü L  Ðattention€€to€the€fact€that€several€key€posts€in€the€Government€were€held€by€women,€including€thatÐ è 8  Ðof€Ambassador€to€the€European€Commission€at€Brussels,€and€that€there€was€no€discriminationÐ Ô$  Ðbetween€men€and€women€candidates€for€posts€in€the€public€service.€€The€requirement€that€a€womanÐ À  Ðmust€obtain€her€husbandððs€permission€to€travel€before€applying€for€a€visa€was€not€in€any€wayÐ ¬ü  Ðcontrary€to€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant€and€was€intended€solely€to€preserve€and€strengthen€theÐ ˜è  Ðstability€of€family€life.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ478.€€Referring€to€the€number€of€questions€raised€and€observations€made€in€connection€with€articlesÐ \¬ Ð7€and€10€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€recalled€that€his€country€had€ratified€the€ConventionÐ H˜ Ðagainst€Torture€and€Other€Cruel,€Inhuman€or€Degrading€Treatment€or€Punishment€and€has€submittedÐ 4„ Ðan€initial€report€to€the€Committee€against€Torture.Ð  p ÐÌ479.€€With€reference€to€article€9€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€stated€that€he€was€unaware€ofÐ øH Ðthe€existence€of€any€special€police€brigade.Ð ä4 ÐÌ480.€€Referring€to€a€number€of€questions€raised€in€connection€with€articles€12€and€13€of€theÐ ¼  ÐCovenant,€the€representative€of€the€State€party€said€that€visa€charges€were€fully€justifiable€in€viewÐ ¨ø Ðof€the€expenses€that€might€be€incurred€in€connection€with€repatriation€and€that€therefore€theÐ ”ä Ðprocedure€could€not€be€regarded€as€discriminatory.Ð €Ð ÐÌ481.€€In€reply€to€questions€raised€by€members€of€the€Committee€concerning€article€14€of€theÐ X ¨ ÐCovenant,€the€representative€said€that€although€appointed€by€the€executive€the€judiciary€was,€in€fact,Ð D!” Ðhighly€independent.€€The€crucial€question€was€not€so€much€the€system€of€appointment€of€membersÐ 0"€  Ðof€the€judiciary€but€the€quality€of€justice€dispensed.€€No€disciplinary€action€had€ever€been€takenÐ #l! Ðagainst€any€judge€in€Cameroon€in€respect€of€any€judgment€rendered.€€With€regard€to€the€nominationÐ $X" Ðand€promotion€of€judges,€a€strict€seniority€roll€of€serving€judges€was€maintained€by€the€Ministry€ofÐ ô$D # ÐJustice€and€promotions€were€approved€by€the€President€on€the€advise€of€a€Higher€Council€composedÐ à%0!$ Ðof€senior€judges€and€magistrates,€the€possibility€of€political€bias€thus€being€excluded.€€Steps€had€beenÐ Ì&"% Ðtaken€to€ensure€that€trained€and€licenced€lawyers€were€available€throughout€the€country€to€provideÐ ¸'#& Ðlegal€advise€and€assistance€to€those€requiring€it.€€Referring€to€the€concerns€expressed€about€militaryÐ ¤(ô#' Ðtribunals,€the€representative€explained€that€provisions€had€been€made,€save€in€case€of€violation€ofÐ )à$( Ðarms€regulations,€for€persons€convicted€by€the€military€tribunal€to€appeal€to€a€higher€instance.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ482.€€Regarding€questions€raised€under€article€19€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€emphasized€thatÐ T,¤'+ Ðit€was€only€natural€that€the€State€should€retain€the€right€to€exercise€a€sufficient€measure€ofÐ @-(, Ðsupervision.€€Moreover€the€press€in€Cameroon€was€regarded€not€only€as€a€means€of€disseminatingÐ ° Ðinformation€but€also€as€an€educational€institution,€providing€the€framework€within€which€citizensÐ œì Ðcould€learn€how€to€live€in€freedom,€stimulating€a€form€of€social€dynamism€for€the€achievement€ofÐ ˆØ Ðnational€unity€and€encouraging€creative€participation€in€public€affairs.€€A€proof€of€the€success€of€theÐ tÄ Ðpress€in€performing€that€role€was€afforded€by€the€fact€that€Cameroon€was€ahead€of€many€countriesÐ `° Ðin€respect€of€the€degree€of€popular€participation€in€public€affairs€and€access€to€the€public€service.Ð L œ ÐÌ483.€€Lastly,€with€respect€to€article€27€of€the€Covenant,€the€representative€said€that€many€ð ðÔ_ÔbamilekesÔ_ÔððÐ $ t Ðoccupied€leading€positions€in€the€economic€sector.Ð  ` ÐÌ484.€€Members€of€the€Committee€thanked€the€representative€of€the€State€party€for€his€co„operation.Ð è 8  ÐThey€observed,€however,€that,€while€he€had€endeavored€to€reply€to€some€questions,€many€importantÐ Ô$  Ðones€remained€unanswered.€€The€concerns€of€members€in€respect€of€issues€such€as€those€relating€toÐ À  Ðthe€detention€system,€the€military€courts,€freedom€of€association,€rights€of€minorities,€equality€of€theÐ ¬ü  Ðsexes€and€the€single„party€system,€in€particular,€had€not€been€allayed.€€Some€of€the€informationÐ ˜è  Ðrelating€to€censorship€and€to€the€internal€structure€and€evolution€of€the€country€also€gave€groundsÐ „Ô  Ðfor€special€concern.€€Members€of€the€Committee€expressed€the€hope€that€the€CommitteeððsÐ pÀ Ðobservations€would€be€brought€to€the€attention€of€the€Government€and€would€be€taken€into€accountÐ \¬ Ðin€preparing€Cameroonððs€second€periodic€report.Ð H˜ ÐÌ485.€€The€representative€of€the€State€party€assured€the€Committee€that€its€recommendations€wouldÐ  p Ðbe€conveyed€to€the€Government€and€that€the€second€periodic€report€of€his€country€would€containÐ  \ Ðanswers€to€the€questions€that€has€remained€unanswered.Ð øH ÐÌ486.€€In€concluding€the€consideration€of€the€initial€report€of€Cameroon,€the€Chairman€welcomed€theÐ Ð  ÐState€partyððs€clear€intention€to€engage€in€a€dialogue€with€the€Committee.€€He€thanked€theÐ ¼  Ðrepresentative€for€his€efforts€to€reply€to€the€Committeeððs€questions€but€nevertheless€regretted€that,Ð ¨ø Ðowing€to€absence€of€experts€from€the€capital,€it€had€not€been€possible€to€have€a€more€comprehensiveÐ ”ä Ðand€successful€dialogue.€€It€was€all€the€more€important,€therefore,€that€the€second€periodic€report€ofÐ €Ð ÐCameroon€should€be€submitted€in€good€time€and€that€the€government€representatives€sent€to€presentÐ l¼ Ðit€should€be€sufficiently€well€informed€to€answer€the€Committeeððs€legitimate€questions.Ð X ¨ ÐÌÌÐ  #l! Ðò òÔ_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô€A/49/40€(1994)ó óÐ ° ÐÌÌ183.€€The€Committee€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€Cameroon€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/63/Add.1)€at€itsÐ tÄ Ð1306òòthóó€€to€1308òòthóó€meetings,€held€on€30€and€31€March€1994€(see€Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/SR.1306-1308),€and€adoptedÐ `° Ðòò26óó/€€the€following€observations:Ð L œ ÐÌ1.€òòIntroductionóóÐ $ t ÐÌ184.€€The€Committee€thanks€Cameroon€for€its€report€and€welcomes€the€Government's€willingnessÐ ü L  Ðto€pursue€the€dialogue€entered€into€with€the€Committee.€€The€report,€although€a€summary€and€ratherÐ è 8  Ðtheoretical,€otherwise€conforms€to€the€Committee's€guidelines€regarding€the€form€and€contents€ofÐ Ô$  Ðperiodic€reports€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/20/Rev.1),€and€the€oral€comments€were€a€valuable€complement€to€theÐ À  Ðinformation€given€in€writing.€€The€replies€to€the€questions€of€Committee€members€by€a€competentÐ ¬ü  Ðhigh-level€delegation€helped€to€make€the€dialogue€between€the€delegation€and€the€Committee€frankÐ ˜è  Ðand€fruitful.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ2.€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€application€of€the€CovenantóóÐ \¬ ÐÌ185.€€The€ignorance€of€individuals€as€to€their€rights€impedes€the€enjoyment€thereof€and€contributesÐ 4„ Ðto€their€failure€to€provide€remedies€for€violation€of€those€rights.€€Accordingly,€there€remain€manyÐ  p Ðunaddressed€human€rights€violations.€€The€survival€of€certain€traditions€and€customs€sometimesÐ  \ Ðconstitutes€an€obstacle€to€the€application€of€the€Covenant,€particularly€with€regard€to€equality€of€menÐ øH Ðand€women.Ð ä4 ÐÌC.€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ ¼  ÐÌ186.€€The€establishment€of€the€National€Committee€for€Human€Rights€and€Freedoms€represents€aÐ ”ä Ðnotable€advance€in€the€promotion€of€human€rights€in€Cameroon.Ð €Ð ÐÌ187.€€The€acts€passed€in€1990,€in€particular€Act€No.€90-56€of€19€December€1990€concerning€politicalÐ X ¨ Ðparties,€establishing€a€multiparty€system,€constitute€an€encouraging€factor€for€the€implementation€ofÐ D!” Ðthe€Covenant.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ188.€€The€detailed€information€given€orally€by€the€delegation€on€the€situation€of€minorities€inÐ $X" ÐCameroon€is€indicative€of€the€positive€approach€of€the€country's€authorities€to€the€implementationÐ ô$D # Ðof€article€27€of€the€Covenant.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌ_________________Ð T,¤'+ Ðà  àòò26óó/à0 ` àAt€its€1316òòthóó€meeting€(fiftieth€session)€,€held€on€7€April€1994.Ð@-(,` (#` (# ЇÌ4.€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóÐ œì ÐÌ189.€€The€Committee€regrets€the€fact€that€the€Secretary-General€was€not€notified€in€the€correctÐ tÄ Ðmanner,€in€accordance€with€the€requirements€of€article€4€of€the€Covenant,€of€the€proclamation€of€aÐ `° Ðstate€of€emergency€at€the€time€of€the€events€that€took€place€in€the€country's€Nord-Ô_ÔOuestÔ_Ô€province€inÐ L œ Ð1992.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ190.€€The€Committee€deplores€the€fact€that€the€State€party€has€not€embarked€on€all€the€necessaryÐ  ` Ðreforms€to€combat€the€factors€still€impeding€equality€of€men€and€women.Ð ü L  ÐÌ191.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that,€in€spite€of€a€recent€reduction,€the€number€of€offencesÐ Ô$  Ðpunishable€by€the€death€penalty€in€the€Criminal€Code€is€still€excessive,€in€particular€aggravated€theftÐ À  Ðor€traffic€in€toxic€or€dangerous€wastes,€and€at€the€number€of€death€sentences€handed€down€by€theÐ ¬ü  Ðcourts.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ192.€€It€deplores€the€infringements€of€the€right€to€life€by€representatives€of€the€security€forces,€theÐ pÀ ÐArmy€and€even€paramilitary€groups€in€respect€of€civilians,€not€only€during€the€events€of€1992€butÐ \¬ Ðalso€in€March€1993€and,€more€recently,€in€March€1994.Ð H˜ ÐÌ193.€€The€Committee€deplores€the€multiple€cases€of€torture,€ill-treatment,€extrajudicial€execution€andÐ  p Ðillegal€detention,€suffered€in€particular€by€journalists€and€political€opponents.€€Torture€andÐ  \ Ðill-treatment€seem€to€be€Ô_ÔpractisedÔ_Ô€systematically€by€the€security€forces,€and€on€several€occasions€theirÐ øH Ðbrutality€has€caused€the€death€of€the€victims.Ð ä4 ÐÌ194.€€It€also€deplores€the€fact€that€such€brutality€is€practiced€in€prisons,€as€well€as€non-respect€for€theÐ ¼  Ðprovisions€of€article€10€of€the€Covenant€in€detention€centers€where€men€and€women,€convicted€andÐ ¨ø Ðunconvinced€prisoners,€adult€and€juvenile€offenders€are€held€in€the€same,€generally€insalubrious,Ð ”ä Ðcells.Ð €Ð ÐÌ195.€€The€Committee€notes€that€freedom€of€expression€is€not€guaranteed,€owing€to€the€requirementÐ X ¨ Ðof€prior€deposit€of€all€€publications,€censorship€and€the€control€exercised€by€the€authorities€over€theÐ D!” Ðpress,€radio€and€television.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ196.€€The€Committee€questions€the€independence€of€the€judiciary;€in€particular,€the€composition€ofÐ $X" Ðthe€Supreme€Council€of€Justice€does€not€seem€such€as€to€guarantee€respect€for€this€principle.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ197.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€regret€at€the€difficulties€encountered€by€workers€in€exercisingÐ Ì&"% Ðfreely€and€peacefully€their€rights€under€articles€21€and€22€of€the€Covenant.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ198.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€conditions€in€which€the€presidential€elections€of€11Ð )à$( ÐOctober€1992€were€held,€and,€in€particular,€it€expresses€its€concern€at€the€numerous€allegations€ofÐ |*Ì%) Ðfraud€made€during€the€different€ballots.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ5.€òòSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóÐ @-(, Ї199.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Cameroonian€authorities€avail€themselves€of€theÐ ° Ðconstitutional€reform€to€incorporate€in€the€national€legal€system€all€the€rights€guaranteed€by€theÐ œì ÐCovenant,€and€that€each€article€of€the€draft€be€systematically€checked€against€the€provisions€of€theÐ ˆØ ÐCovenant.Ð tÄ ÐÌ200.€€Measures€should€be€taken€to€organize€free,€equitable€and€transparent€elections.Ð L œ ÐÌ201.€€The€Committee€invites€the€Government€to€disseminate€the€Covenant€by€culturally€appropriateÐ $ t Ðmeans,€so€that€everyone€has€a€knowledge€of€his€rights,€whatever€his€place€of€residence€and€hisÐ  ` Ðsituation€in€Cameroonian€society.Ð ü L  ÐÌ202.€€The€Committee€urges€the€authorities€of€Cameroon€to€revise€the€Criminal€Code€with€a€view€toÐ Ô$  Ðrestricting€the€number€of€offences€carrying€the€death€penalty.Ð À  ÐÌ203.€€The€Committee€strongly€recommends€that€the€Government€take€all€necessary€measures€toÐ ˜è  Ðprevent€summary€executions,€torture,€ill-treatment€and€illegal€detention,€that€all€such€cases€beÐ „Ô  Ðinvestigated€in€order€to€bring€those€suspected€of€having€committed€such€acts€before€the€courts,€thatÐ pÀ Ðthose€found€guilty€be€punished€and€that€the€victims€be€compensated.Ð \¬ ÐÌ204.€€The€Committee€invites€the€Cameroonian€authorities€to€modify€their€legislation€applicable€toÐ 4„ Ðadministrative€detention€so€as€to€make€it€limited€in€time€and€subject€to€appeal€in€accordance€withÐ  p Ðarticle€9,€paragraph€4,€of€the€Covenant.€€The€Committee€urges€the€Cameroonian€authorities€to€requireÐ  \ Ðlaw-enforcement€officers€to€have€a€strict€respect€for€the€provisions€of€article€9€of€the€Covenant,€inÐ øH Ðorder€to€put€an€end€to€arbitrary€or€illegal€detention,€by€organizing€specific€training€for€them€ifÐ ä4 Ðnecessary.Ð Ð  ÐÌ205.€€The€Committee€invites€the€Cameroonian€authorities€to€adopt€as€a€matter€of€urgency€theÐ ¨ø Ðmeasures€necessary€to€ensure€that€in€prisons€and€detention€centers€all€the€provisions€of€article€10€ofÐ ”ä Ðthe€Covenant€are€fully€respected.Ð €Ð ÐÌ206.€€Measures€should€be€taken,€if€necessary€in€the€form€of€constitutional€reform,€to€guarantee€theÐ X ¨ Ðindependence€and€impartiality€of€the€judiciary,€in€accordance€with€article€14,€paragraph€1,€of€theÐ D!” ÐCovenant.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ207.€€The€Committee€invites€the€Government€to€improve€the€situation€of€women,€with€a€view€toÐ $X" Ðachieving€the€effective€application€of€article€3€of€the€Covenant,€in€particular€by€adopting€theÐ ô$D # Ðnecessary€educational€and€other€measures€to€overcome€the€weight€of€certain€customs€and€traditionsÐ à%0!$ Ðand€by€proceeding€as€soon€as€possible€with€its€plan€to€amend€the€Family€Code.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ208.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€Cameroonian€authorities€remove€censorship€once€and€forÐ ¤(ô#' Ðall€and€amend€the€Act€of€19€December€1990,€with€a€view€to€ensuring€its€conformity€with€article€19Ð )à$( Ðof€the€Covenant.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌÌÐ @-(, ЇÌÌò òÔUKUS.,ÔÔ_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔA/55/40Ô_Ô€Ô_Ô(2000)ó óÔ_ÔÐ ˆØ ÐÌÌ183.à  àThe€Committee€considered€the€third€periodic€report€of€Cameroon€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/102/Add.2)€atÐ L œ Ðits€1798th€to€1800th€meetings€(Ô_ÔCCPRÔ_Ô/C/SR.1798-1800),€held€on€27€and€28€October€1999,€andÐ 8 ˆ Ðadopted,€at€its€1807th€and€1808th€meetings,€held€on€3€November€1999,€the€following€observations:Ð $ t ÐÌ1.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ ü L  ÐÌ184.à  àThe€Committee€notes€that€the€third€periodic€report€of€Cameroon€was€incomplete€and€did€notÐ Ô$  Ðaddress€all€of€the€concerns€expressed€by€the€Committee€in€its€previous€concluding€observations€onÐ À  ÐCameroon's€second€periodic€report€(A/49/40,€paras.€183-208).€€It€welcomes,€however,€the€updatedÐ ¬ü  Ðinformation,€including€written€information€and€legislative€texts,€provided€by€the€delegation.€€ItÐ ˜è  Ðfurther€welcomes€the€willingness€of€the€State€party€to€make€additional€submissions€in€writing€withÐ „Ô  Ðrespect€to€particular€concerns€articulated€by€members€of€the€Committee.Ð pÀ ÐÌ2.€€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ H˜ ÐÌ185.à  àThe€Committee€notes€that€under€the€revised€Constitution€of€1996€the€Covenant€has€priorityÐ  p Ðover€national€law,€and€welcomes€the€statement€of€the€delegation€that€Covenant€rights€can€be€invokedÐ  \ Ðdirectly€in€Cameroonian€courts,€and€that€these€apply€the€provisions€of€the€Covenant.€€Ð øH ÐÌ186.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€efforts€undertaken€by€the€State€party€to€inform€the€multi-ethnicÐ Ð  Ðpopulation€of€Cameroon€about€their€human€rights,€in€particular€through€the€establishment€of€legalÐ ¼  Ðclinics,€educational€campaigns,€workshops€and€seminars€held€throughout€the€territory.Ð ¨ø ÐÌ187.à  àThe€Committee€also€welcomes€the€commitment€to€promote€gender€equality€through€theÐ €Ð ÐMinistry€of€Women€Affairs€as€well€as€various€measures€initiated€by€the€Ministry€for€that€purpose.Ð l¼ ÐÌ188.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€recent€amendments€to€the€Criminal€Code,€including€the€enactmentÐ D!” Ðof€a€crime€of€torture€under€article€132€Ô_ÔbisÔ_Ô.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ189.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€establishment€of€the€National€Committee€on€Human€RightsÐ $X" Ðand€Freedoms€which€is€empowered€to€oversee€all€relevant€Cameroonian€authorities.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ190.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€that€there€has€been€a€noticeable€increase€in€the€numberÐ Ì&"% Ðof€judges€and€other€court€personnel.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ3.€€òòPrincipal€subjects€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóÐ )à$( ÐÌ191.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€duality€of€statutory€law€and€customary€law,€whichÐ h+¸&* Ðsometimes€results€in€unequal€treatment€between€men€and€women,€particularly€in€the€areas€ofÐ T,¤'+ Ðmarriage€and€inheritance€laws.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€where€spouses€do€not€agree,Ð @-(, ÐÔ_Ôcustomary€law€incompatible€with€the€Covenant€is€often€applied.Ð ° ÐÌ192.à  àThe€State€party€should€adopt€legislation€that€ensures€that€the€laws€applied€will€in€all€casesÐ ˆØ Ðbe€compatible€with€the€Covenant.€€It€emphasizes€that€law€that€gives€effect€to€Covenant€rights€mayÐ tÄ Ðfulfil€an€educational€function.€€Educational€campaigns€should€also€be€included€in€those€areas€inÐ `° Ðwhich€customary€practices€lead€to€discrimination€against€women.Ð L œ ÐÌ193.à  àThe€Committee€is€also€concerned€at€the€continuing€existence€of€polygamy,€and€the€differentÐ $ t Ðages€for€marriage€between€girls€and€boys.€€Ð  ` ÐÌ194.à  àThe€State€party€should€ensure€that€the€above€are€brought€into€conformity€with€the€Covenant.Ð è 8  ÐÌ195.à  àThe€Committee€is€further€concerned€with€the€high€rate€of€illiteracy€among€women,€unequalÐ À  Ðeducational€and€employment€opportunities€for€women€and€that€husbands€may€seek€a€court€order€toÐ ¬ü  Ðprevent€their€wives€from€engaging€in€certain€occupations.Ð ˜è  ÐÌ196.à  àThe€State€party€should€ensure€the€equality€of€women€with€men,€both€in€education€andÐ pÀ Ðemployment,€particularly€in€employment€of€the€woman's€choice.€€It€should€also€ensure€that€womenÐ \¬ Ðreceive€equal€pay€for€work€of€equal€value.Ð H˜ ÐÌ197.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€fact€that€there€is€no€specific€law€to€prohibit€female€genitalÐ  p Ðmutilation€and€that€this€practice€continues€in€certain€areas€of€Cameroonian€territory€in€violation€ofÐ  \ Ðarticle€7€of€the€Covenant.Ð øH ÐÌ198.à  àThe€State€party€should€take€all€measures,€including€legislation,€to€combat€and€eradicate€theÐ Ð  Ðpractice€of€female€genital€mutilation.Ð ¼  ÐÌ199.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€criminalization€of€abortion€leads€to€unsafe€abortionsÐ ”ä Ðwhich€account€for€a€high€rate€of€maternal€mortality.Ð €Ð ÐÌ200.à  àThe€State€party€must€take€measures€to€protect€the€life€of€all€persons,€including€pregnantÐ X ¨ Ðwomen.Ð D!” ÐÌ201.à  àThe€Committee€recognizes€that€no€death€sentences€have€been€carried€out€during€the€periodÐ #l! Ðunder€review,€but€is€concerned€that€the€death€penalty€is€still€being€imposed,€and€that€some€of€theÐ $X" Ðcrimes€still€punishable€by€the€death€penalty,€such€as€secession,€espionage€or€incitement€to€war,€areÐ ô$D # Ðloosely€defined.Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ202.à  àThe€State€party€is€urged€to€ensure€that€the€death€penalty€may€be€imposed€only€for€the€mostÐ ¸'#& Ðserious€crimes€and€to€consider€abolishing€capital€punishment€altogether€(art.€6).Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ203.à  àThe€Committee€is€seriously€concerned€about€allegations€of€widespread€extrajudicialÐ |*Ì%) Ðexecutions,€particularly€in€connection€with€the€operations€by€security€forces€to€combat€armedÐ h+¸&* Ðrobbery.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€about€the€death€of€detainees,€including€through€tortureÐ T,¤'+ Ðand€ill-treatment.€€Ð @-(, Ї204.à  àThe€State€party€is€urged€to€overcome€impunity€and€ensure€that€all€allegations€of€killings€byÐ ° Ðsecurity€forces€are€promptly€investigated,€the€responsible€persons€brought€to€justice€and€the€victimsÐ œì Ðcompensated.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ205.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€by€the€existence€of€private€militia,€in€particular€those€that€actÐ `° Ðas€"coupeurs€de€routes".€€€Ð L œ ÐÌ206.à  àThe€State€party€should€combat€the€phenomenon€of€private€militia€in€order€to€eradicate€it.Ð $ t ÐÌ207.à  àThe€Committee€is€seriously€concerned€at€reports€about€abuse€of€the€use€of€weapons€by€theÐ ü L  Ðpolice,€leading€to€loss€of€life.Ð è 8  ÐÌ208.à  àTo€secure€compliance€with€articles€6€and€7€of€the€Covenant,€the€State€party€must€take€firmÐ À  Ðmeasures€to€limit€the€use€of€force€by€the€police,€to€investigate€all€complaints€regarding€the€use€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðforce€by€the€police,€and€take€appropriate€action€when€the€use€of€force€is€in€violation€of€the€relevantÐ ˜è  Ðregulations.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ209.à  àThe€Committee€is€further€seriously€concerned€at€reports€of€disappearances€of€persons.Ð \¬ ÐÌ210.à  àThe€State€party€must€carry€out€investigations€of€disappearances€and€provide€compensationÐ 4„ Ðto€victims,€or€their€families.Ð  p ÐÌ211.à  àThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€that€a€person€held€in€administrative€detention€underÐ øH Ðarticle€2€of€Law€No.€90/024€(19€December€1990)€may€have€his€detention€extended€indefinitely€withÐ ä4 Ðthe€authorization€of€the€Provincial€Governor€or€the€Minister€for€Territorial€Administration,€and€thatÐ Ð  Ðsuch€person€has€no€remedy€by€way€of€appeal€or€application€of€habeas€corpus.Ð ¼  ÐÌ212.à  àThe€State€party€should€take€immediate€steps€to€bring€the€law€into€compliance€with€article€9,Ð ”ä Ðparagraphs€3€and€4,€of€the€Covenant€and€ensure€that€the€conditions€in€which€any€such€person€is€heldÐ €Ð Ðcomply€with€the€Covenant.Ð l¼ ÐÌ213.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€continued€practice€of€torture€by€police€officials€andÐ D!” Ðabout€the€absence€of€an€independent€organ€for€investigation.€€The€Committee€acknowledges€theÐ 0"€  Ðinformation€provided€by€the€delegation€about€the€prosecution€of€certain€cases€of€torture.€€However,Ð #l! Ðit€regrets€that€the€delegation€did€not€provide€any€information€concerning€the€number€of€complaintsÐ $X" Ðof€torture,€the€methods€of€investigating€such€reports,€or€of€the€remedies€offered€to€the€victims.Ð ô$D # ÐÌ214.à  àThe€State€party€should€establish€an€independent€mechanism€to€investigate€reports€of€tortureÐ Ì&"% Ðin€order€to€comply€with€article€7€of€the€Covenant.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ215.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€jurisdiction€of€military€courts€over€civilians€and€aboutÐ )à$( Ðthe€extension€of€that€jurisdiction€to€offences€which€are€not€per€se€of€a€military€nature,€for€exampleÐ |*Ì%) Ðall€offences€involving€firearms.€€The€Committee€is€further€concerned€about€reports€whereby€a€personÐ h+¸&* Ðwho€was€discharged€by€civilian€judicial€authorities€may€be€brought€before€a€different€tribunal€forÐ T,¤'+ Ðtrial,€in€contravention€of€article€14,€paragraph€7.Ð @-(, Ї216.à  àThe€State€party€should€ensure€that€the€jurisdiction€of€military€tribunals€is€limited€to€militaryÐ ° Ðoffences€committed€by€military€personnel.€€It€must€also€avoid€any€person€being€tried€or€punishedÐ œì Ðagain€for€an€offence€for€which€he/she€has€already€been€finally€convicted€or€acquitted€of.Ð ˆØ ÐÌ217.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€citizens'€passports€can€be€seized€by€the€police€on€the€orderÐ `° Ðof€the€public€prosecutor,€but€that€no€information€has€been€provided€as€to€the€criteria€adopted€by€theÐ L œ Ðprosecutor€in€giving€such€an€order€in€that€procedure.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ218.à  àCriteria€for€the€seizure€of€passports€should€be€examined€so€as€to€ensure€that€they€areÐ  ` Ðcompatible€with€the€freedom€of€everyone€to€leave€his€own€country€under€article€12,€paragraphs€2€andÐ ü L  Ð3,€of€the€Covenant.Ð è 8  ÐÌ219.à  àThe€Committee€deplores€the€fact€that€prison€conditions€in€Cameroon€are€characterized€byÐ À  Ðsevere€overcrowding€and€inadequate€food€and€medical€care.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ220.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€address€the€issue€of€prison€overcrowding€as€a€matterÐ „Ô  Ðof€priority€and€to€ensure€that€prisoners€are€treated€with€humanity,€in€keeping€with€article€10€of€theÐ pÀ ÐCovenant.Ð \¬ ÐÌ221.à  àThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€the€prosecution€and€punishment€of€journalists€for€theÐ 4„ Ðcrime€of€publication€of€"false€news"€merely€on€the€ground€that€the€news€was€false,€in€clear€violationÐ  p Ðof€article€19€of€the€Covenant.Ð  \ ÐÌ222.à  àThe€State€party€must€ensure€that€any€law€restricting€freedom€of€expression€meets€all€theÐ ä4 Ðrequirements€set€out€in€article€19,€paragraph€3,€of€the€Covenant.Ð Ð  ÐÌ223.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€early€action€to€review€and€reform€laws€relating€to€criminalÐ ¨ø Ðdefamation,€to€bring€them€into€conformity€with€article€19€of€the€Covenant.Ð ”ä ÐÌ224.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€with€the€information€provided€by€the€State€party€in€respect€ofÐ l¼ Ðthe€follow-up€on€the€Committee's€decisions€on€an€individual€case,€Mukong€v.€Cameroon€(case€No.Ð X ¨ Ð458/1991),€where€the€Committee€has€established€a€violation€of€the€Covenant.€€In€particular,€theÐ D!” ÐCommittee€does€not€consider€it€appropriate€to€expect€a€person€found€to€be€a€victim€of€a€human€rightsÐ 0"€  Ðviolation€to€have€to€submit€still€more€information€to€the€Cameroonian€courts€in€order€to€obtainÐ #l! Ðcompensation.Ð $X" ÐÌ225.à  àThe€State€party€is€urged€to€provide€a€remedy€in€accordance€with€the€views€adopted€by€theÐ à%0!$ ÐCommittee€on€the€individual€case€considered€under€the€Optional€Protocol.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ226.à  àThe€Committee€regrets€that€the€independence€of€the€National€Committee€on€Human€RightsÐ ¤(ô#' Ðand€Freedoms€is€not€ensured,€that€its€reports€to€the€head€of€State€are€not€made€public€and€that€thereÐ )à$( Ðis€no€evidence€that€any€remedies€have€been€provided€or€prosecutions€initiated€as€a€result€of€its€work.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ227.à  àThe€State€party€is€urged€to€ensure€the€independence€of€the€National€Committee€and€toÐ T,¤'+ Ðpublicize€its€work€and€recommendations.Ð @-(, Ї4.€€òòDissemination€of€information€about€the€Covenant€(art.€2)óóÐ ° ÐÌ228.à  àThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€available€to€the€public€as€well€as€to€theÐ ˆØ Ðlegislative€and€administrative€authorities€the€text€of€the€Covenant€and€of€these€concludingÐ tÄ Ðobservations€in€the€languages€used€by€the€population,€and€to€disseminate€the€Covenant€byÐ `° Ðappropriate€measures€so€that€everyone€becomes€aware€of€their€rights.€€The€State€party's€next€reportÐ L œ Ðshould€be€prepared€on€an€article-by-article€basis,€in€accordance€with€the€Committee's€revisedÐ 8 ˆ Ðguidelines,€and€should€give€particular€attention€to€the€issues€raised€by€the€Committee€in€theseÐ $ t Ðconcluding€observations.€€The€Committee€sets€the€date€for€the€submission€of€Cameroon's€fourthÐ  ` Ðperiodic€report€at€31€October€2003.ÔUS.,UK.,µÔÐ ü L  ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ€€Ð \¬ ÐÌÐ  4„ Ð