New detention order for released former UB student leaders
December 9 - Buea police yesterday said they have a new detention order for the three former student leaders of the University of Buea they released a day earlier, and said they now have a new complain.
Two of the released students, Mboh Tanyi and Atanga Marcelus, revisited the police station December 8, a day after their release, to collect their retained national identity cards but were shown a new complaint chanelled in through the office of the Attorney General for the Southwest Province and accusing them of being sympathisers of the "Yellow Party" in the University that is allegedly fomenting the ongoing violence on Campus. This new complaint now included the name of Bara's name that was not on the first complaint about the "November 26 black thursday" violence.
Mboh Tanyi said police showed three new detention forms with their names. He was at the police at this time alone as Atanga had sneaked out allegedly to meet the State Counsel. Police later demanded from Tanyi the addresses of Bara Mark Bareta and Atanga Marcelus but Mboh said he did not know. Police asked him to invite them to the station by phone but they had not shown up at the time GCI left the police station.
Former University of Buea student Leaders Released
Security operatives in Buea, Southwest Region of Cameroon have yielded to pressure for human rights organisations and released three former executive members of the University's student's union (UBSU) it has been holding in incommunicado detention.
Police reportedly summoned the trio to their head office in Buea and questioned them with regards to the ongoing violence in the University and then put them behind bars. When a GCI staff visited the police station, she was denied access to the students and a police officer said they had firm instructions not to grant access to legal assistance to the students.
GCI found the arrest and detention, incommunicado, inconsistent with Cameroonian laws, and complained to the Senior State Counsel of Buea against the abuse of the students and of the law by the police, especially their boss. Read complaint.
Maxcelus Atanga, Bara Mark Bareta and Mboh Tanyi Mboh were released on Monday November 8, 2009 after spending five nights in the cold police cell.
It is worth noting that the Southwest Regional Office of the National Human Rights Commission had also petitioned the Senior State Counsel about the “victimization and persecution” of the students, calling on the State Prosecutor to cause their immediate and unconditional release.
Read full details of arrest and detention
Read statements from detained students
Read GCI plaint to Senior State Counsel
GCI Complaint against police Commissioner on Incommunicado detention of ex UB students
Dear Senior State Counsel,
Through my position as Prisoners' Rights Intern, for Global Conscience Intiative, a particular incident occurred of which I would like to draw your attention to.
On Friday 4th December, two members of the public contacted GCI staff, to seek assistance. This led me to visit Buea Police Station, to provide legal assistance to three particular detainees', as per section 37, of the Criminal Procedure Code, and to check on their general well-being, as per section 122 (3).
I was denied access to these particular detainees. According to Charge Office Staff, they were under strict instructions that these particular detainees were not to receive any legal assistance - a blatant infringement of Cameroonian law.
I was directed to Bakongo Simon Celestin, Commissaire Divisionaire, by the Charge Office. Bakongo Simon Celestin showed absolute disregard to rule of law, and displayed complete ignorance in proper procedure. He informed me of internal policies which are in direct contravention to section 37, and section 122 (3), of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Section 122 (5) states that those who violate the provisions of section 122 (3) are liable to prosecution, or where necessary disciplinary sanctions. For this reason I feel compelled to inform you of this incident.
Later on Friday, 7 th of December I did gain access to the three detainees – not, however, on direction of the Commissionaire Divisionaire. By my observation, an incidence of miscommunication occurred between the various departments in Buea Police Station, which led to me access the detainees.
Thank you for your kind consideration regarding this matter, and please do not hesistate to contact me at any time for any further clarification.
Sincerely,
Clíona Martyn
News Release: Former UB student union members detained
Thursday 3 rd December the police arrested and detained three former University of Buea Student Union members. Global Conscience Initiative (GCI), an NGO for the promotion of peace, human rights and democracy, were contacted to investigate the detention. On visiting Buea Police Station, where the students were being held, GCI staff were refused permission to speak with the detainees - this being a blatant infringement of Cameroonian law. GCI has lodged a complaint to the Senior State Counsel in relation to this matter. GCI condemns any blatant disregard to the rule of law, and expresses serious concern over the prolonged illegal detention of the three former students of University of Buea .
