Fako High Court Tasks Branch Office Head of CHRC: “Fight impunity in the Southwest!”

Tambe Tiku talks to reporters after taking oath of office as Head of CHRC SW branch office

 

By Christopher Ambe

The pioneer Head of the Branch Office of Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC), Buea -Southwest region, Christopher Tambe Tiku, has launched a town-to -town campaign against human rights violations.

His campaign team has already stormed the streets of Muyuka and Buea –and plans to do same in other localities in the near future

Tambe Tiku (in glasses) and partners in the  streets of Buea on rights-awareness campaign

Driving in small convoys and armed with megaphones, and stopping in crowded areas in Muyuka and Buea, campaigners cited cases of rights violation like unauthorized seizure and search of citizens’ phones by law enforcement forces and gave the public the CHRC toll-free number (1523) to immediately report rights violations. “Enough is enough,” they shouted to their audience.

The rights-awareness campaign was launched barely a few weeks after Tambe Tiku was sworn-into office as pioneer Head of the Branch office of Cameroon Human Rights Commission (CHRC), Buea Southwest region by Justice Kenneth Ako Tanyi at the Fako High Court,Buea.

 Justice Kenneth Ako Tanyi,who ,last December 28, presided at the swearing-in strongly appealed  to  Tambe Tiku to use his new office  and  the powers legally conferred on him   to wage a relentless  war  against impunity in the Southwest  region. 

  Tambe Tiku was sworn-in alongside Blaise Chamango,who is the newly appointed rapporteur for the  CHRC Southwest office.

Cases of impunity in the Southwest region of Cameroon are reportedly a serious cause for concern, giving the false impression that some people are above the law.

Tambe Tiku and Blaise Chamango (middle) in family photo with judicial officials

 Justice Ako Tanyi  said   human rights promotion and protection is a critical  responsibility, adding that because of the complexities involved in its application it is not surprising to see  even some of  the most advanced countries with  very poor human rights records.

“Human rights promotion and protection is a constant fight; it is a fight that needs people who are determined and committed to be part of it”, Justice Ako Tanyi told Tambe Tiku . “You will have to be against established systems, economic barons, political heavy weights who are bent on [doing things their own way]. “That could be your challenge. But the responsibility is before you; you have to stand up for the protection of rights-the rights of detainees, women and minors facing the law.”

 Justice Ako Tanyi emphasized that Tambe Tiku must intensify the fight against impunity in the Southwest region.

“There are some people who believe that the law is for others and not for them. So long as you don’t have that commitment to fight impunity in this country, we won’t be making any progress. That should be your challenge-fighting impunity. Let everyone face the law and let the law be applied equally to everybody-no matter their sex, religion, political or economic stance.”

He urged them to discharge their duties with honesty, truthfulness, humility and without fear or favour.

Earlier in his submission before Tambe Tiku and Blaise Chamango were sworn-in, the State Counsel, Kilo Emmanuel, presented the establishment, organization and functioning of the CHRC and the CV’s of the two appointees.

The State Counsel  said the  Head  of the Branch office of the CHRC  Southwest Region ,Buea,was  appointed  on  18 August 2022 while Blaise Chamango was designated  rapporteur  on 4^th May 2022. He said the swearing in of the two staff was a legal requirement before they could assume their functions.

Kilo said the CHRC is responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights as well as the prevention of torture in all places of detection; to contribute in developing a human rights culture based on the ideals of peace, equal rights and responsibility, mutual respect and sustainable development; to strengthen the rule of law and combating impunity in the domain of human rights in particular.

Speaking to the press after taking the oath of office, Tambe Tiku said, “I agree with the presiding judge that there is a culture of impunity in our country. Some people think that they are above the laws or that they laws are meant for others. The rule of law cannot survive under such pretexts. We are going to lay a lot of emphasis in that area.”

He added that the Southwest CHRC office would focus not only on civil and political rights but also on gender issues and socio-economic rights.

“I would like to say that we have not been commissioned to launch a war against the authorities, but rather to complement the efforts of the Cameroon government in the area of the protection and promotion of human rights,” Tambe Tiku remarked.

He commended the contributions of civil society partners towards improving the human rights society in the country.

Tambe Tiku, who will turn 56 on April 11^th  this year, holds, among other qualifications, a Master’s degree (LLM in International Human Rights), from the University of Hull, UK. He has several children.

He  was formerly pioneer Southwest Regional Secretary the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms; currently a Board member of Elections Cameroon(ELECAM) and Assistant Lecturer ,Department of English law, University of Buea.

Blaise Chamango,who is married and father of three, holds among other professional certificates, a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Development. He is a member of several organizations.