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27 October 1999
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HR/CT/99/44
27 October 1999
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE STARTS CONSIDERATION OF CAMEROON'S REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
Polygamy Is An Insult to Intelligence of Human Beings and
Against God's Wisdom, Expert Says
The Human Rights Committee this afternoon started its consideration of the third periodic report of Cameroon, with members querying a Government delegation on, among other matters, the practice of declaring a state of emergency, female genital mutilation, violence against women, and the practice of polygamy.
Introducing the report, Francois-Xavier Ngoubeyou, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that his country was a modern State, where the rule of law was respected and fundamental freedoms of citizens were guaranteed. He said that Cameroon's citizens were also aware of the promotion and protection of their human rights. During the past few years, Cameroon had taken a number of administrative and legislative measures designed to promote and protect human rights throughout the country.
In the course of their consideration of the report, Committee members raised oral questions on such issues as, among other things, the existence of state of emergency orders and its consequences on non-derogable rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the equal pay for equal work performed; and the role of the Cameroonian National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms.
An Expert said that the practice of polygamy was an insult to the intelligence of men and women and against the wisdom of God, and asked the Government of Cameroon to take appropriate action against it.
The delegation of Cameroon also included Andre Magnus Ekoumou of the Presidency of the Republic; Emmanuel Ebang Otong, the Governor of the Province of Littoral, Minister of Territorial Administration; Toussaint Zibi Nsoe, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs; Jennet E. Kem, Director of the Promotion of Women's Rights, Ministry of Women's Affairs; Agathe Florence Mbassi, Assistant Director of "Renseignments Generaux", General Delegation of National Security; Michel Mahouve, Deputy Director of Penal Legislation, Ministry of Justice; Godwe Mandandi, of the State Secretary of Defence in charge of National Gendarmerie; and Felix Zogo, Chief of Legal Section of the Ministry of Communications.
Cameroon, as one of 144 States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, must submit periodic reports to the Committee on efforts to implement the provisions of the treaty.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 28 October, it will continue its consideration of the report of Cameroon.
Report of Cameroon
The third periodic report of Cameroon (document CCPR/C/102/Add.2) enumerates the legislative and administrative measures taken by the Government with the view to implementing the provisions of the International Covenant. Since the ratification on 27 June 1984 of the Covenant and the Optional Protocol, both instruments have entered into force in Cameroon and take precedence over internal law in the hierarchy of provisions.
The report says that in 1990, the National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms, a heterogenous body that has distinguished itself by a wealth of activity relating to the functions assigned to it, had been set up by a presidential decree. It has 22 regular members and 18 alternate members who are appointed by and originate from the various social categories. It carries out work which helps to promote and protect human rights and freedoms, such as educating the general public. A number of seminars have been organized under its auspices throughout Cameroon for the administrative, police and military authorities.
Further, the report says that the causes of the prejudices that continue to undermine the constitutional principle of the equality of all citizens and, consequently, of equality between men and women, are to be found in culture, upbringing and schooling, among other things. To varying degrees, the cultural and religious foundations of most African peoples establish a more or less clear-cut hierarchy between men and women. Cameroonian society is no exception, particularly in the south, where Islam is deeply rooted. It is customary to sacrifice young girls' education to that of young boys.
Although the proportion of economically active women seems high -- 51 per cent of the population are women, and 31 per cent of them work -- the overwhelming majority are, to varying degrees, financially dependent on men. In order to change these trends, the State rigorously applies the principle of equal access to the civil service and of equal pay for equal work, the report says.
Introduction of Report
FRANCOIS-XAVIER NGOUBEYOU, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said Cameroon was a modern State, where the rule of law was respected and fundamental freedoms of citizens were guaranteed. Cameroon's citizens were also aware of the promotion and protection of their human rights.
Mr. Ngoubeyou said that Cameroon had taken a number of administrative and legislative measures designed to promote and protect human rights throughout the country. During the last years, Cameroon had also improved its image for the respect of human rights of its citizens.
Moreover, Cameroon had developed political conditions which allowed the participation of any political parties in the political life of the country through the free participation in presidential and legislative elections, which were held periodically, Mr. Ngoubeyou said. Since a multi-party system was introduced in 1990, no factors or difficulties impeding the application of the Covenant and of the Optional Protocol had come to the Government's attention.
Cameroon's National Committee for Human Rights and Freedoms, since its establishment in 1990, had accomplished a number of works in the promotion of human rights.
Discussion
Responding to written questions prepared by Committee Experts in advance, the members of the Cameroonian delegation said that the allegation that human rights defenders could not properly do their work and were being harassed was unwarranted and untrue. A number of non-governmental organizations had been operating freely without any hindrance from the Government. Foreign and national organizations alike run programmes of human rights promotions in the country.
Cameroon had undertaken measures to promote the rights of women and to eliminate any form of discrimination against them, the delegation said. In addition, a ministry was created to ensure the equality of gender in the country particularly to fight traditional practices detrimental to women. The Ministry of Women's Conditions had a number or provincial branches which work closely with the population in the promotion of women's equality and in the breaking of gender inequality. Social actions and sensitization programmes had also been carried out in addition to advocacy campaigns to women's issues. A day of gender equality had also been celebrated to raise awareness among the population, the delegation said.
In order to further promote gender equality in the country, judicial decision, such as the equal rights of women to inheritance, had been taken as additional efforts in the promotion of women's rights, the delegation said. Moreover, the Government had undertaken measures to harmonize traditional laws based on local customs with the requirements of the Covenant, in particular matrimonial rights, custody rights, transfer of nationality to children and their right to education. In some regions of Cameroon, polygamy was still practised with the condition that the second wife give her consent to be integrated in that system of marriage.
There was no discrimination to access to job opportunities in Cameroon on the ground of sex, the delegation said. Women were present in all professions, including the police, the army, the judiciary and other State functions. Generally, equal access to the civil service and of equal pay for equal work was applied and enforced. In addition, the Government encouraged women to participate in all fields without any reservations.
The Government of Cameroon had envisaged to enact a specific law to punish gender-based violence and already a draft text was under study by the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the delegation said. The Government had also continued its combat against female genital mutilation, with the implementation of a national action plan and public awareness campaign on the issue.
State of emergency laws which derogated the rights under the Covenant did not exist in any regions of Cameroon, the delegation told the Committee. Since August 1988, a state of emergency had been decreed only once, although it had been automatically renewed on certain parts of the national territory where it was already in force. Since the abortive April 1984 coup d'etat, the department of Mfoundi had been under a state of emergency.
No reliable information was found by the Government of Cameroon on the alleged practice of killings of albinos, the delegation said. The allegation of such killings was based on rumours and not on reality; and to the contrary, the right to life of many albinos was being respected.
Following the responses of the delegation, an Expert said that the practice of polygamy was an insult to the intelligence of men and women and against the wisdom of God. The Government of Cameroon should taken further measures to tackle the social problems arising from the practice of polygamy.
Questions were also asked if, among other things, the state of emergency in the Mfoundi department was still in effect; about the consequences of the state of emergency on non-derogable rights under the Covenant; about the measures taken to combat female genital mutilation; if equal pay for equal work was guaranteed in practice; and the role of the National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms.
HR/CT/99/44
27 October 1999
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE STARTS CONSIDERATION OF CAMEROON'S REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS
Polygamy Is An Insult to Intelligence of Human Beings and
Against God's Wisdom, Expert Says
The Human Rights Committee this afternoon started its consideration of the third periodic report of Cameroon, with members querying a Government delegation on, among other matters, the practice of declaring a state of emergency, female genital mutilation, violence against women, and the practice of polygamy.
Introducing the report, Francois-Xavier Ngoubeyou, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that his country was a modern State, where the rule of law was respected and fundamental freedoms of citizens were guaranteed. He said that Cameroon's citizens were also aware of the promotion and protection of their human rights. During the past few years, Cameroon had taken a number of administrative and legislative measures designed to promote and protect human rights throughout the country.
In the course of their consideration of the report, Committee members raised oral questions on such issues as, among other things, the existence of state of emergency orders and its consequences on non-derogable rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the equal pay for equal work performed; and the role of the Cameroonian National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms.
An Expert said that the practice of polygamy was an insult to the intelligence of men and women and against the wisdom of God, and asked the Government of Cameroon to take appropriate action against it.
The delegation of Cameroon also included Andre Magnus Ekoumou of the Presidency of the Republic; Emmanuel Ebang Otong, the Governor of the Province of Littoral, Minister of Territorial Administration; Toussaint Zibi Nsoe, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs; Jennet E. Kem, Director of the Promotion of Women's Rights, Ministry of Women's Affairs; Agathe Florence Mbassi, Assistant Director of "Renseignments Generaux", General Delegation of National Security; Michel Mahouve, Deputy Director of Penal Legislation, Ministry of Justice; Godwe Mandandi, of the State Secretary of Defence in charge of National Gendarmerie; and Felix Zogo, Chief of Legal Section of the Ministry of Communications.
Cameroon, as one of 144 States parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, must submit periodic reports to the Committee on efforts to implement the provisions of the treaty.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 28 October, it will continue its consideration of the report of Cameroon.
Report of Cameroon
The third periodic report of Cameroon (document CCPR/C/102/Add.2) enumerates the legislative and administrative measures taken by the Government with the view to implementing the provisions of the International Covenant. Since the ratification on 27 June 1984 of the Covenant and the Optional Protocol, both instruments have entered into force in Cameroon and take precedence over internal law in the hierarchy of provisions.
The report says that in 1990, the National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms, a heterogenous body that has distinguished itself by a wealth of activity relating to the functions assigned to it, had been set up by a presidential decree. It has 22 regular members and 18 alternate members who are appointed by and originate from the various social categories. It carries out work which helps to promote and protect human rights and freedoms, such as educating the general public. A number of seminars have been organized under its auspices throughout Cameroon for the administrative, police and military authorities.
Further, the report says that the causes of the prejudices that continue to undermine the constitutional principle of the equality of all citizens and, consequently, of equality between men and women, are to be found in culture, upbringing and schooling, among other things. To varying degrees, the cultural and religious foundations of most African peoples establish a more or less clear-cut hierarchy between men and women. Cameroonian society is no exception, particularly in the south, where Islam is deeply rooted. It is customary to sacrifice young girls' education to that of young boys.
Although the proportion of economically active women seems high -- 51 per cent of the population are women, and 31 per cent of them work -- the overwhelming majority are, to varying degrees, financially dependent on men. In order to change these trends, the State rigorously applies the principle of equal access to the civil service and of equal pay for equal work, the report says.
Introduction of Report
FRANCOIS-XAVIER NGOUBEYOU, Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said Cameroon was a modern State, where the rule of law was respected and fundamental freedoms of citizens were guaranteed. Cameroon's citizens were also aware of the promotion and protection of their human rights.
Mr. Ngoubeyou said that Cameroon had taken a number of administrative and legislative measures designed to promote and protect human rights throughout the country. During the last years, Cameroon had also improved its image for the respect of human rights of its citizens.
Moreover, Cameroon had developed political conditions which allowed the participation of any political parties in the political life of the country through the free participation in presidential and legislative elections, which were held periodically, Mr. Ngoubeyou said. Since a multi-party system was introduced in 1990, no factors or difficulties impeding the application of the Covenant and of the Optional Protocol had come to the Government's attention.
Cameroon's National Committee for Human Rights and Freedoms, since its establishment in 1990, had accomplished a number of works in the promotion of human rights.
Discussion
Responding to written questions prepared by Committee Experts in advance, the members of the Cameroonian delegation said that the allegation that human rights defenders could not properly do their work and were being harassed was unwarranted and untrue. A number of non-governmental organizations had been operating freely without any hindrance from the Government. Foreign and national organizations alike run programmes of human rights promotions in the country.
Cameroon had undertaken measures to promote the rights of women and to eliminate any form of discrimination against them, the delegation said. In addition, a ministry was created to ensure the equality of gender in the country particularly to fight traditional practices detrimental to women. The Ministry of Women's Conditions had a number or provincial branches which work closely with the population in the promotion of women's equality and in the breaking of gender inequality. Social actions and sensitization programmes had also been carried out in addition to advocacy campaigns to women's issues. A day of gender equality had also been celebrated to raise awareness among the population, the delegation said.
In order to further promote gender equality in the country, judicial decision, such as the equal rights of women to inheritance, had been taken as additional efforts in the promotion of women's rights, the delegation said. Moreover, the Government had undertaken measures to harmonize traditional laws based on local customs with the requirements of the Covenant, in particular matrimonial rights, custody rights, transfer of nationality to children and their right to education. In some regions of Cameroon, polygamy was still practised with the condition that the second wife give her consent to be integrated in that system of marriage.
There was no discrimination to access to job opportunities in Cameroon on the ground of sex, the delegation said. Women were present in all professions, including the police, the army, the judiciary and other State functions. Generally, equal access to the civil service and of equal pay for equal work was applied and enforced. In addition, the Government encouraged women to participate in all fields without any reservations.
The Government of Cameroon had envisaged to enact a specific law to punish gender-based violence and already a draft text was under study by the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the delegation said. The Government had also continued its combat against female genital mutilation, with the implementation of a national action plan and public awareness campaign on the issue.
State of emergency laws which derogated the rights under the Covenant did not exist in any regions of Cameroon, the delegation told the Committee. Since August 1988, a state of emergency had been decreed only once, although it had been automatically renewed on certain parts of the national territory where it was already in force. Since the abortive April 1984 coup d'etat, the department of Mfoundi had been under a state of emergency.
No reliable information was found by the Government of Cameroon on the alleged practice of killings of albinos, the delegation said. The allegation of such killings was based on rumours and not on reality; and to the contrary, the right to life of many albinos was being respected.
Following the responses of the delegation, an Expert said that the practice of polygamy was an insult to the intelligence of men and women and against the wisdom of God. The Government of Cameroon should taken further measures to tackle the social problems arising from the practice of polygamy.
Questions were also asked if, among other things, the state of emergency in the Mfoundi department was still in effect; about the consequences of the state of emergency on non-derogable rights under the Covenant; about the measures taken to combat female genital mutilation; if equal pay for equal work was guaranteed in practice; and the role of the National Committee on Human Rights and Freedoms.