Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Dion, and High Commissioner Cremonese,
I write to encourage you to speak out about the recent distressing events in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.
As you know, Canada and Cameroon enjoy long standing and friendly bilateral relations. Canada encourages efforts by Cameroon to support democracy and human rights, good governance, and the observance of strong legal systems. Cameroon values its trade and educational ties to Canada. Canada and Cameroon signed a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) in March 2014, which Canada has ratified. There are thousands of Canadians who are of Cameroon origin, and Cameroon sends almost 2,000 students to Canada as foreign students on a yearly basis.
In May 2016, your government took a giant step forward, ensuring that all Canadian heads of mission (ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls general) will make the promotion of “human rights, freedoms and inclusion” part of their core objectives. Cameroon is included in this new initiative.
Recently, you, as Canadian leaders, have spoken out about the need for strong, humane leadership that respects human rights in Africa. On November 12, 2016, you, Mr. Dion, as Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. You spoke about the need for, and reinforced Canadian support for, African-led efforts to address the difficult challenges facing the continent. You spoke strongly about the
need for security, good governance, and the rule of law in African countries. Canada is on record as supporting a large network of governmental and non-governmental organizations working to achieve the goal of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.
Just a couple of days ago, on November 26 and 27th, while attending the XVI Summit of La Francophonie in Madagascar, you, Prime Minister Trudeau, said: “Working together with other member and observer States and governments, we can better address the numerous challenges that face members of La Francophonie, from climate change, to gender inequality, to human rights”.
So it is especially with these recent events in mind, that I call on you, our Canadian leaders, to speak out against the abuses of human rights, and the brutality that is currently happening in Bamenda, the capital of the North West Region, and Buea, the capital of the South West Region of Cameroon. The leaders of the protests, many of whom are teachers and lawyers, have consistently called for peaceful protests and meaningful dialogue to address their concerns. Despite these loud and clear calls for peaceful protest, there is evidence that government forces have acted well beyond what should be expected, using tear gas, beatings, and arbitrary detention.
Please use your respected voices to call on President Biya, Prime Minister Yang, and others in the Cameroon government to protect the human rights of Cameroon citizens, and to clearly defend the laws of their country that respect human rights and the freedom to speak out. They should not tolerate misconduct by their forces in the streets. Cameroon’s Prime Minister, Mr. Philomen Yang, had a long and distinguished diplomatic stay in Ottawa. I hope that he especially would be receptive to hearing your concerns.
Prime Minister Trudeau, you said you would work together with your African counterparts to address many challenges. Mr. Dion, you called for good governance and security in Africa. As Canadian leaders, you can use your voices to ensure that all Cameroonian voices are heard and respected in this challenging and volatile situation.
Be clear and strong in what you say. Encourage Cameroon to respect the rights enshrined in its constitution and in the international agreements it is a party to. Every citizen of Cameroon, just like every Canadian, has the right to freedom of expression, to freedom of association, and to peaceful assembly. These freedoms were not established easily in Cameroon’s history, and they are dearly cherished by the people of Cameroon. Cameroonians should be able to speak openly of their concerns, especially in schools and universities, in private conversations, and in professional gatherings. Canadians are seeing videos of brutal beatings, and hearing stories of students who are apparently disappearing into jails with no fair trials. The Cameroonians who are using their voices to request improvement in the country they love do not deserve brutal
treatment or imprisonment. How can we as Canadians not raise our voices in support of their efforts?
Thank you for your ongoing diplomacy in the face of very difficult situations, including those in Africa, and especially in Cameroon. I know that you are watching these events carefully, and that you will take action as appropriate.
Please take the following actions:
1. Publicly call for the respect of human rights to support those Cameroonians who are exercising their rights as citizens of that beautiful country;
2. Monitor the situation carefully in the days to come, and share your findings with the Canadians;
3. Ensure that Canadians doing business, engaged in bilateral partnership, or promoting humanitarian efforts in Cameroon are supported in their own efforts to support human rights. Trade and business are important, but should not come at the expense of fundamental rights and freedoms.
With deep appreciation, and hopes for peace,
Lynn Cockburn
cc: Mr. David Christopherson, MP for Hamilton
22 Tisdale St S, Hamilton ON L8N 2V9
718 Justice Building, House of Commons, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
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