On March 23, 2019, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the U.N. Economic and Social Council delivered its Concluding Observations on the fourth periodic report of Cameroon.[1]
The Committee’s principal concern was “the general lack of security in the Far North Region of the State party, where non-State armed groups have been carrying out terrorist attacks. It is also deeply concerned by the widespread violence being witnessed in the North-West and South-West Regions, where most of the population belongs to the English-speaking community, and by reports that acts of violence leading to the destruction of hospitals, schools and entire villages in those Regions have been committed by non-State armed groups and by members of the State party’s security forces. The Committee is concerned about the serious impact of these situations on the enjoyment of the economic, social and cultural rights of the persons concerned, including women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.”
As a result, the Committee recommended that Cameroon:
“(a) Take steps, as a matter of urgency, to ensure the enjoyment of [International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights] . . . by the people living in areas affected by violence and a lack of security, particularly in the Far North, North-West and South-West Regions;
(b) Conduct thorough, independent investigations into reports of violence and the destruction of hospitals, schools and entire villages, particularly in the North-West and South-West Regions, in order to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice and sentenced to penalties commensurate with the gravity of their acts;
(c) Ensure the effective implementation of the humanitarian assistance plans that have been adopted and of the 2018–2020 national action plan on Security Council resolution 1325 and related resolutions on women and peace and security by, inter alia, establishing effective follow-up mechanisms that provide for the participation of the population groups concerned, including women, and by allocating sufficient financial, human and technical resources for their implementation.
(d) Make every effort to achieve a peaceful solution to the crisis in the North-West and South-West Regions of the country.”
In addition, the Committee made other recommendations on the following subjects: improve applicability of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in its courts; internally displaced persons; situation of human rights defenders; situation of indigenous peoples; maximum available resources; development projects; corruption; anti-discrimination framework; discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identify; discrimination against minorities; equality between men and women; right to work; informal sector of the economy; working conditions for women; working conditions of indigenous peoples; trade union rights; right to social security; economic exploitation of children; birth registration; violence against women; poverty reduction and the right to an adequate standard of living; right to food; forced eviction; right to physical and mental health; sexual and reproductive health; right to education; cultural diversity; internet access; ratification of various treaties; ways to improve its implementation of the Covenant.
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[1] U.N. Econ. & Social Council, Comm. on Economic, Social & Cultural Concerns: Concluding Observations on the fourth periodic report of Cameroon (Mar. 23, 2019) G1908134 (1). This Committee has responsibility for monitoring the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights that covers (to the full extent of available resources) the right to gain a living by work; to have safe and healthy working conditions; to enjoy trade union rights; to receive social security; to have protection for the family; to possess adequate housing and clothing; to to be free from hunger; to receive health care; to obtain free public education; and to participate in cultural life, creative activity, and scientific research. This treaty entered into force January 3, 1976 and now has 170 states, including Cameroon, that have ratified or acceded to this treaty. U.S. President Jimmy Carter signed this treaty for the U.S. on October 5, 1977, but the U.S. Senate has never ratified it. Therefore, the U.S. is not a party to the treaty. (See Multilateral Human Rights Treaties Signed, But Not Ratified by the U.S., dwkcommentaries.com (Feb. 12, 2013). )
