The 68th International Human Rights Day was celebrated in Yaounde on December 13, 2016, by the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, NCHRF on the theme, “Stand up for someone’s rights today.”

NCHRF Chair, Dr Chemuta Divine Banda, said the day was an opportunity to pay tribute to “men and women who boldly fight everyday for justice, freedom or dignity and against discrimination and denial of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of vulnerable groups.”

“Wherever human rights are violated, it is our common humanity which is tampered with,” Dr Banda warned. While commending the use of social networks in denouncing human rights violations, he cautioned against their use to stir up hatred and violence.

“Gone are the days when governments had total control of information and could silence critics, and prohibit public debates and deny freedom of expression,” the NCHRF Chair noted.

Dr Chemuta Divine Banda expressed concern at the human rights situation in the country, saying under his leadership, NCHRF has developed and organised many training sessions on human rights for the military, security forces and judicial authorities.

“We worked so hard for our country to adopt a National Action Plan on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. This is an example not only for Central Africa, but for the rest of the continent. Decision-makers should be careful how they use security forces and the military in maintaining order,” he cautioned.

Dr Banda explained that NCHRF has not been able to produce a final report on the recent incidents in the North West and South West Regions because the situation keeps escalating and negotiations between government and the various parties are now deadlocked.

The representative of the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa stressed the need to protect the rights of everyone. He commended NCHRF for achievements made in this domain.