Cameroon denies reports that troops killed civilians
President of Cameroon Paul Biya (left) walks with his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari following his arrival at the airport in Yaounde on July 29, 2015. Cameroon has denied claims by Amnesty International that its security forces have been committing widespread atrocities while fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the north. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
- In a report released in Yaounde, the London-based rights group said the jihadist group, which has waged a six-year brutal campaign in Nigeria, had killed at least 380 civilians in north Cameroon since January.
- According to the minister, President Paul Biya instructed the defence forces to comply with the domestic laws and international conventions and treaties relating to human rights in the war against Boko Haram.
- The raid, according to the Cameroonian government, led to the arrest of 70 suspects who were later transferred to Maroua Gendarmerie Legion for more questioning.
YAOUNDE
Cameroon has denied claims by Amnesty International that its security forces have been committing widespread atrocities while fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the north.
In a report released in Yaounde, the London-based rights group said the jihadist group, which has waged a six-year brutal campaign in Nigeria, had killed at least 380 civilians in north Cameroon since January.
But it said government forces raided and destroyed homes, killed civilians and detained more than 1,000 suspects, some as young as five years, during the counter-offensive.
UNGROUNDED ACCUSATIONS
Addressing journalists, the country’s communication minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, described Amnesty International’s accusations as exaggerated and ungrounded.
“I would like to tell Amnesty International that the respect of human rights, whether in time of peace or in war, is part of the training of our defence and security forces. Every time they have been on the battlefield, they have always complied with this obligation,” Mr Bakary said.
According to the minister, President Paul Biya instructed the defence forces to comply with the domestic laws and international conventions and treaties relating to human rights in the war against Boko Haram.
200 DETAINED
The Amnesty International report highlighted a December 27, 2014 raid by Cameroonian security forces on the far north villages of Magdeme and Double, in which eight people, including a child, were killed.
At least 200 men and boys were detained and 70 buildings destroyed.
The raid, according to the Cameroonian government, led to the arrest of 70 suspects who were later transferred to Maroua Gendarmerie Legion for more questioning.
DEATH FROM CHEMICALS
Fourteen people, among the arrested, were transferred to detention at the Maroua Territorial Brigade, while 56 others remained in custody at the Gendarmerie Legion.
“Twenty-five of the suspects died “from a collective intoxication after ingesting unidentified chemicals and traditional products,” the minister said, quoting post-mortem examination findings.
“Contrary to the overt suspicions contained in Amnesty International’s report, the death of these individuals could therefore not be attributed to our defence and Security forces,” Mr Bakary said.
