On Wednesday, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called for improved access to Cameroon’s conflict-ridden separatist regions and urged the government to amend the controversial 2014 anti-terrorism law.
This law, criticized by rights groups for stifling dissent and imposing harsh penalties, has been used to suppress freedom of expression, according to Amnesty International.
Turk made the appeal following a two-day visit to Cameroon, where secessionist militias have clashed with government forces in the English-speaking regions since 2017.
The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced nearly 800,000 people. Turk emphasized the need for humanitarian access to these affected areas and highlighted the importance of revising the repressive anti-terrorism legislation.
Amnesty International’s reports indicate that many individuals from these regions have been sentenced under this law, which includes the death penalty and has been used to imprison journalists and activists.
