Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-04-08 17:35:40
The Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC) has called on the Cameroon Government to strengthen its efforts in combating genocide and other international crimes. Prof James Mouangue Kobila, the president of the CHRC, made this call during the commemoration of the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.
The International Day of Reflection on the Genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda is observed every April 7 to remember the tragic events that took place in 1994, resulting in the loss of over 1 million lives. The CHRC specifically urged the government to ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of December 9, 1948, and to take internal measures to effectively enforce it.
The call for enhanced measures against genocide and international crimes by the CHRC comes at a time when Cameroon is experiencing ongoing violence in its North West and South West Regions, leading to the death of over 6,000 people since 2016. There have been reports of civilians being killed and villages being burned down during the armed conflict, with some observers likening these acts to genocide and crimes against humanity.
While the CHRC did not attribute acts of genocide to any specific party in the Anglophone Crisis, it called on all stakeholders to uphold a zero-tolerance policy against tribalism, hate speech, and discrimination. The CHRC also commended the efforts of the National Communication Council and the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism in fighting hate speech and promoting tolerance.
However, the CHRC emphasized the importance of condemning all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including those perpetrated by individuals associated with the military and ruling party. The AU highlighted the significance of commemorating the Rwandan Genocide as a way to prevent such atrocities from happening again in the future.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, in his remarks during the commemoration, criticized the international community for failing to prevent the genocide and stressed the importance of reconciliation and justice. World leaders, including US President Joe Biden, expressed solidarity with the victims of the genocide and praised efforts towards healing and rebuilding. The commemoration serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred and division.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
