COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS’ SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON TORTURE VISITS CAMEROON

HR/99/45
14 May 1999


Sir Nigel Rodley, Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the question of torture, began a fact-finding mission to Cameroon on 11 May at the invitation of the Government. The mission will continue through 20 May.

The purpose of the visit is to collect first-hand information, to evaluate the situation in the country and to build constructive relations with the Government. To that end, the Special Rapporteur hopes to hold talks with representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Interior, and Defence. Mr. Rodley also will meet with non-governmental organizations and with persons who can provide specific information in relation to his mandate. The preliminary programme calls for visits to Yaoundé, Douala, Bamenda and Maroua. In these municipalities he hopes particularly to meet with chiefs of police and to visit places of detention, including police stations and prisons.

Sir Nigel was appointed Special Rapporteur in 1993. In 1998, his mandate was extended for three years by the Commission on Human Rights (resolution 1998/38). He has carried out fact-finding missions in pursuance of his mandate in the following countries: Russian Federation; Rwanda; Colombia; Pakistan; Chile; Portugal (in relation to the situation in the territory of East Timor); Venezuela; Mexico; Turkey, and Romania. Sir Nigel is a Professor of law at Essex University in the United Kingdom.