The Hague – The UN Committee against Torture is currently reviewing six nations, among them Cameroon, as part of its critical mission to assess compliance with the UN Convention Against Torture. This rigorous examination, which started on October 28 and ends on November 22, represents the UN’s commitment to holding countries accountable for human rights abuses, and the committee is placing a spotlight on Cameroon’s mounting record of alleged abuse, especially by its security forces.
For Cameroon, the UN scrutiny comes at a particularly volatile time, as the country faces intensifying allegations of brutality against both its civilians and political dissidents. Among the high-profile cases under review are the tragic torture and murder of Martinez Zogo, a journalist who spoke out about corruption, and the brutal assault of musician Longue Longue, punished for his public criticism of the government. Both cases are widely seen as stark examples of the government’s alleged policy of silencing dissent by any means necessary.
Even more distressing, however, is the broader conflict unfolding in the Ambazonian regions, where the population faces relentless repression. Since 2016, Cameroon has been embroiled in a bitter conflict with the people of Ambazonia, a conflict rooted in the people’s demand for independence from Francophone Cameroon. In these regions, the UN is closely examining disturbing reports of routine torture, arbitrary detention, and other forms of inhumane treatment committed by Cameroonian forces. For the people of Ambazonia, many of whom have reported abuses like mass arrests, extrajudicial killings, and displacement, this UN review may represent a crucial moment in highlighting their plight before the international community.
The UN hearings have also allowed NGOs to weigh in, with human rights advocates urging the UN to hold Cameroon accountable not only for these specific incidents but for what appears to be an entrenched system of impunity within its security forces. NGOs have presented evidence pointing to a long-standing culture within the Cameroonian military and police, where torture and intimidation are routinely used to maintain control over citizens and suppress political opposition. This culture of abuse, activists argue, has persisted largely due to the government’s lack of transparent investigations and its routine dismissal of allegations as unsubstantiated or politically motivated.
The UN Committee’s review of Cameroon is a much-needed intervention at a critical moment, but it will only be meaningful if it leads to concrete actions that curb the pervasive culture of abuse within Cameroonian security forces. Without a clear mandate for accountability, this process risks being reduced to yet another bureaucratic exercise with little impact on the ground. The international community must pressure Cameroon not only to investigate but also to prosecute and punish those responsible for acts of torture and inhumane treatment.
To underscore its commitment to human rights and demonstrate the gravity of these crimes, the United Nations should go beyond passive observation and recommend immediate arrests of individuals known to have perpetrated or ordered acts of torture in Cameroon’s infamous facilities, including the SED and Kondengui prisons. These perpetrators are not faceless or anonymous; they are well-known figures who hold positions of authority and influence. By enabling this brutality to go unchecked, they bring disgrace not only to their country but to the entire international community. Arrests and direct consequences would send a clear signal: the UN will not tolerate torturers operating with impunity under its watch.
Furthermore, if Cameroon continues to defy human rights norms, the UN must call for international sanctions, strictly enforced by its member nations. These sanctions should specifically target officials and institutions linked to human rights abuses, cutting them off from financial and diplomatic resources. A mere slap on the wrist or symbolic condemnation will not be enough to deter future abuse. Only with concrete, painful sanctions can the UN demonstrate it has teeth and is willing to protect the vulnerable populations it was created to serve.
In recent years, the United Nations has become the subject of growing cynicism. Criticized for its inability to take decisive action in crisis situations, it risks becoming a shadow of its original purpose if it fails to confront human rights violations in rogue states like Cameroon. If the organization cannot provide concrete measures to protect those suffering under brutal regimes, one must question its very relevance. This is a defining moment for the UN: either it demonstrates that it is a defender of human rights, or it admits it has no power to uphold its principles.
The time has come for the UN to restore its reputation and assert itself as a force for justice, not a platform for hollow declarations. Without strong action against Cameroon, the UN risks becoming a symbol of inaction and impotence in the face of oppression. Cameroon’s victims deserve justice, and the UN, if it is to remain relevant, must answer that call without delay.
