"it is good to have international unbiased eyes also looking
at issues in Cameroon". ( US Embassy staff )Week One: -
Introductory Phase
Wednesday 9 January – Friday 10 January :
Conducted meetings with the Senior Divisional Officer, Head of Police Central Station, Heads of other various police stations around Kumba, Senior State Counsel, Three Mayors of Kumba I, II, III. Head of Gendarme and head of Gendarme Brigade, Director of Women's Empowerment Group and the Prison Superintendent.
Observations:
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The major obstacle to achieving the goals of GCI is the immense power the state wields throughout every organization in the country. The Legal Department, the prisons and the security forces are answerable to their hierarchical power. Each of them stated how their ‘hands are tied'.
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I also noted the attitude of the current administration towards the work of GCI and human rights in general. It became evident from the meetings that the senior administration views human rights as a ‘luzury' which cannot be afforded in a developing country. The Senior State Counsel and the Senior Divisional Officer both echoed the same hymn; rights cannot be enjoyed until after responsibilities are fulfilled.
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It seems quite evident that the administration does not have the people's interest at the forefront of their agenda. The case of the student demonstration and the Babila murder demonstrate this point as they prefer to protect their own than serve the public's interest and see justice prevail.
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At this moment in time, it seems to me that the administration is more concerned with maintaining control over their power without consideration for the common man.
Week Two:
Field Work (conflict resolution, investigation and drafting letters)
Monday 14 th : Finished introductions and drafted letter on forced evictions in Douala.
Tuesday 15 th : Traveled to Ikiliwindi – to resolve a dispute between two farmers. With careful mediation and involvement of the various council members the matter was peacefully resolved.
Wednesday 16 th : Traveled to Bai Panya on a fact finding mission to attempt to solve a leadership crisis instigated by a chief from a neighbouring village. Spoke with various members of the public who would like the issue resolved by holding free elections. Tried to meet with the chief from Bai Manya but he was not available.
Thursday 17 th : Traveled to Buea to interview the Attorney General on a case involving a man named Mr. Babila. Mr. Babila was allegedly beaten to death by a police officer in Limbe. The Attorney General was unavailable so instead I spoke to the Deputy General. He said four of the police officers had been released on bail because they had no involvement in the beating of the victim.
Friday 18 th : Drafted letters to the Senior Divisional Officer in relation to the dispute in Bai Panya.
Overall Experience:
Informative, educational, thought provoking, disheartening.
Challenges:
The main challenges facing the work of GCI and my work as an intern, in my opinion, is the attitude and lack of respect for human rights throughout the administration.
The frequent human rights abuses committed daily by the poorly trained police officers, that can be exhibited by their societal conduct, are a cause for concern. Cases of police brutality, extortion and repression continue to be overlooked by the powers that be as they continue to condone such acts with impudicity.
Report
Re: Meeting with Senior State Counsel
11 th January 2008
Main points of discussion:
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He referred to criticisms of corruption of the gendarmerie as just ‘a few bad individuals' but maintained that this corruption is most definitely not coming from the top.
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He failed to answer the question of overcrowding in prisons.
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He revealed that He was restricted between the orders of this hierarchy and the interests of the public.
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He referred to the student demonstration as ‘mob action' participated by students who had ‘lost their way', students who were uncontrollable and needed to be restrained.
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The Senior State Counsel told me that people who claim for fairness and justice in the police forces and administration need to look first at themselves and ensure they apply the same responsibilities in their own lives before making demands.
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This attitude reflects the elements of a police state closely protecting its own skeletons.
Public order
The priority of the greater public safety
Citizens responsibilities
The importance of objectivity and the use of the law
The dynamic and tentative relationship between taking orders from his superiors and accommodating the requests of the public
Observations:
The Senior State Counsel accepted no responsibility or admitted any weaknesses of the present administration.
Week 3: January 21 – 25 2008:
Designed a needs assessment survey for Kumba Prison. Devised a questionnaire for the Prison Commander, prison wardens, prisoners and the medical officer. The topics covered in the questionnaire generally covered areas of discipline, living conditions, medical services and diet of prisoners.
Week 4: January 28 – February 1:
Went to the field to carry out the survey. Interviewed the Prison Commander and four prison officers. Was given a thorough tour of the prison including the inside of each cell. Interviewed six prisoners of various ages. Some were sentenced prisoners and some were untried prisoners.
Week 5: February 4 – 8:
Assembled the data from the survey and began to identify priority areas that need urgent attention. After much consultation with Mr. Samba, we devised a prison project which features various different stages of action to achieve our ultimate goal of better living conditions for prisoners.
Stage 1) Organise a workshop for prison staff on the rights of prisoners.
Stage 2) Construct a building and provide beds and mattresses to accommodate 200 untried prisoners
Stage 3) Improve Infirmary supplies.
Stage 4) Construct an information centre and stock with books, reading tables, chairs and two computers with internet access.
Stage 5) Build a workshop facility to equip and build on prisoner's skills in preparation for when they leave the prison.
Stage 6) Organize and coordinate a social network via the internet to encourage and provide the opportunity for prisoners to communicate with the outside world.
Week 6: February 12 – 15:
Documenting and drafting letters on various local human rights cases in the office including the leadership crisis in Bai Panya and the death of two students in the student demonstration in November. Researched possible funding opportunities for the prison project.
Week 7: February 18 – 22:
Began organizing the workshop for prison workers which is planned for March 15. Designed a list of participants and after consultation with Mr. Samba we devised the format and content of the workshop. Began researching all international and national law relating to the rights of the prisoner.
Week 8: February 25 – 29:
The taxi-drivers of Cameroon went on strike due to increased oil prices. Much of our business was stalled. Spent the week documenting the events of the strike. Wrote articles to various international organizations providing details of the death and destruction that took place over the week.
Observations:
The last six weeks of my internship have furnished me with a variety of new skills. The highly wide-ranging scope of my work allows me to develop in a number of different areas.
Firstly I was able to design my own research proposal, carry out the research in the field and also have the opportunity to assemble the data and devise a solution to the area researched.
As I am responsible for finding funding for the project I am learning a lot about international donor organizations and funding requirements. This is proving highly beneficial as we are discovering several donors who provide funding for programs that Global Conscience are involved in.
This week the strike in Cameroon has been a product of increased inflation added with various other government agitations. I have had the opportunity, first hand, to witness the grievances of a young and frustrated population spill onto the streets in attempt to have their voices heard.
Having spent the last two months dealing with this administration it is, for me, no surprise that the events of the last week have unfolded as they have. The administration has now a crucial decision to make. They can suppress the demonstrators using all legal means and continue on their path of repression or create a space for dialogue, listen to the population and come up with sustainable solutions.
