WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) released the following statement.
“We condemn the gross human rights abuses carried out by Cameroonian state security forces in Anglophone regions of the country, where citizens have long suffered discrimination and a lack of economic development. We urge the Government to halt military abuses, ensure protection of civilians, and allow international relief organizations to access internally displaced persons and other people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
“The way Cameroonian authorities conduct themselves in Anglophone regions will be taken into account by Congress as we assess U.S. military aid and counterterrorism cooperation against Boko Haram in the Far North. We are pleased that on June 21, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation that would compel the executive branch to inform Congress of the status of Cameroon’s investigations into abuses by its security force personnel, and consult with Congress prior to allocating aid funds for the country. The legislation also urges the State Department to work with Cameroonian authorities to ensure the transparent investigation, and appropriate punishment of Cameroonian security force personnel who are credibly alleged to have committed, ordered, or covered up gross violations of human rights in Anglophone regions and in the Far North of the country.
“Amnesty International estimates 400 civilians have been killed in the past year, while at least 120 members of the security forces have reportedly died in clashes with separatists since late 2016. We urge an immediate cessation of hostilities between security forces and armed separatists as violence will only fuel further retaliation and suffering. We call for a truly inclusive national dialogue and political process to address legitimate grievances.
“Political dialogue and reforms are all the more vital as Cameroon prepares for Presidential elections on October 7 in which President Paul Biya—in office since 1982—is running for another seven-year term. The people of Cameroon deserve the right to choose their government freely and express themselves peacefully. We call on President Biya to listen to the Cameroonian people and uphold fundamental freedoms that are enshrined in Cameroon’s constitution. Finally, we encourage the Cameroonian diaspora community to play a constructive role in seeking peace and advocating for political solutions to this crisis.”
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