ACCESS​ ​TO​ ​JUSTICE​ ​FOR​ ​CHILDREN:​ ​CAMEROON

This report was produced by White & Case LLP in June 2015 but may have been
subsequently edited by Child Rights International Network (CRIN). CRIN takes full
responsibility​ ​for​ ​any​ ​errors​ ​or​ ​inaccuracies​ ​in​ ​the​ ​report.

I. What is the legal status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC)?

A. What is the status of the CRC and other relevant ratified international
instruments​ ​in​ ​the​ ​national​ ​legal​ ​system​?

Cameroon signed the CRC on 27 September 1990 and ratified it on 11 January

1
1993. In addition, Cameroon signed on 5 October 2001 the two optional
2
protocols to the CRC on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and on
3
the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography but only ratified
the former on 4 February 2013 and has not signed or ratified the third Optional
4
Protocol​ ​on​ ​a​ ​Communications​ ​Procedure.

Cameroon is considered to follow the monist approach to applying international

5
law. This means that all international treaties, which have been approved, duly
6
ratified, and published by Cameroon, become part of the national law. As a
result, the treaty provisions do not require further implementing action in order
to be legally binding at national level. Therefore, the CRC has the force of law
in​ ​Cameroon.

B. Does​ ​the​ ​CRC​ ​take​ ​precedence​ ​over​ ​national​ ​law​?

Article 45 of the Constitution of Cameroon provides that “duly approved or

ratified treaties and international agreements shall, following publication, take
7
precedence over national laws”. Accordingly, domestic legislation must be

1
​ ​Second​ ​Periodic​ ​reports​ ​of​ ​states​ ​parties​ ​due​ ​in​ ​2000,​ ​Cameroon,​ ​22​ ​October​ ​2009,​ ​CRC/C/CMR/2,
available​ ​at:
http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC%2fC%2fCMR%
2f2&Lang=en​.
2
​ ​United​ ​Nations,​ ​11b​ ​Optional​ ​Protocol​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Convention​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Involvement
of​ ​Children​ ​in​ ​Armed​ ​Conflict,​ ​25​ ​May​ ​2000,​ ​status​ ​as​ ​at​ ​29​ ​June​ ​2015,​ ​available​ ​at:
https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-11-b&chapter=4&lang=en​.
3
​ ​United​ ​Nations,​ ​11​ ​.c​ ​Optional​ ​Protocol​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Convention​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Sale​ ​of
Children,​ ​Child​ ​Prostitution​ ​and​ ​Child​ ​Pornography,​ ​25​ ​May​ ​2000,​ ​status​ ​as​ ​at​ ​29​ ​June​ ​2015,​ ​available​ ​at:
https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-11-c&chapter=4&lang=en​.
4
​ ​ibid.
5
Akonumbo A., “​Implementation framework for children’s rights and welfare standards: Profiling the
harmonization status of child law”​ (ACPF Report) (2008) 24. Cited in “​Harmonisation of children’s laws
in Cameroon, Country brief” in ​Harmonisation of children’s laws in ​West and Central Africa​, African
Child Policy Forum, 2012, p. 20. Available at: http://www.africanchildforum.org/clr/Harmonisation of
Laws​ ​in​ ​Africa/Publications/supplementary-acpf-harmonisation-cb-wc_en.pdf​.
6
​ ​Constitution​ ​of​ ​Cameroon,​ ​Article​ ​45,​ ​available​ ​at:
https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Cameroon_2008.pdf?lang=en​.
7
​ ​ibid.
1
 interpreted​ ​in​ ​line​ ​with​ ​the​ ​provisions​ ​of​ ​the​ ​CRC.

C. Has​ ​the​ ​CRC​ ​been​ ​incorporated​ ​into​ ​national​ ​law​?

Since international instruments are incorporated into national law simply by

means of ratification and take precedence over national laws by virtue of the
Constitution of Cameroon, the CRC has been directly incorporated into national
law.

In addition, the CRC has further been formally integrated as part of domestic
law in Cameroon through the adoption of several laws and regulations in order
to​ ​protect​ ​and​ ​promote​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​of​ ​children,​ ​including​ ​the​ ​following:

- Act No. 2000/08 incorporating the principle of free primary education at public
8
schools;
- Act No. 2005/015 of 29 December 2005 on Combating Child Trafficking and
9
Slavery;
- Decree No. 2005/160 of 25 May 2005 on the Organisation of the Ministry of
Social Affairs, which created the Department of Social Protection of Childhood
10
(article​ ​41)​ ​to​ ​ensure​ ​the​ ​promotion​ ​and​ ​protection​ ​of​ ​the​ ​child.
- Law No. 2011/011 of 6 May 2011 to amend and supplement certain provisions
of the 1981 Ordinance on Civil Status, which extends the deadline for the
declaration​ ​of​ ​births​ ​and​ ​gives​ ​other​ ​alternatives​ ​if​ ​necessary;
- Law No. 2011/024 of 14 December 2011, on combating the smuggling and
trafficking of persons in Cameroon which includes all the components of the
family.​ ​However,​ ​this​ ​law​ ​lacks​ ​implementation​ ​instruments.
- Decree No. 2010/0243/PM of 26 February 2010, to lay down the procedures for
the exercise of certain powers transferred by the State to councils in the area of
granting​ ​assistance​ ​and​ ​relief​ ​to​ ​the​ ​poor​ ​and​ ​needy;
- Decree No. 268/2012 11 June 2012, on the organisation of the Ministry of Basic
Education (MINEDUB) which contains a provision on supervision and
monitoring​ ​of​ ​the​ ​activities​ ​of​ ​Governments​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Children’s​ ​Parliament;
- Decree No. 2013/031 of 13 February 2013 on the Organization and Functioning
of​ ​the​ ​National​ ​Civil​ ​Status​ ​Bureau​ ​(BUNEC);
- Order No. 012/CAB/PM of 31 January 2013 on the setting up, organization and
functioning of the Committee for the Coordination and Monitoring of Strategies
to​ ​Combat​ ​Trafficking​ ​in​ ​Human​ ​Organs​ ​and​ ​Ritual​ ​Crimes;
- Order No. 082/PM of 27 August 2014, on the establishment of the Inter-sector
Committee​ ​to​ ​Combat​ ​Child​ ​Labour;
- Resolution No. A/C3/67/21/Rev of the United Nations General Assembly on
Stepping​ ​up​ ​the​ ​fight​ ​against​ ​Female​ ​Genital​ ​Mutilations​ ​(2013).11

8
​ oncluding​ ​Observations​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​of​ ​the
​ ​As​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in​ ​UN​ ​Committee​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child,​ C
Child:​ ​Cameroon,​ ​CRC/C/15/Add.164,​ ​6​ ​November​ ​2001,​ ​para​ ​3,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC%2FC%2F15%2
FAdd.164&Lang=en​.
9
​ ​Second​ ​Periodic​ ​reports​ ​of​ ​states​ ​parties​ ​due​ ​in​ ​2000,​ ​Cameroon,​ ​22​ ​October​ ​2009,​ ​CRC/C/CMR/2,
available​ ​at:
http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC%2fC%2fCMR%
2f2&Lang=en​.
10
​ ​ibid.
11
​ ​Combined​ ​third​ ​to​ ​fifth​ ​periodic​ ​reports​ ​of​ ​States​ ​parties​ ​due​ ​in​ ​2015,​ ​Cameroon,​ ​5​ ​September​ ​2016,
2
 However, despite these efforts to harmonise existing legislation, the UN
Committee on the Rights of the Child has reported concerns about the domestic
legislation, including customary law, which is very fragmented, outdated and not
12
in​ ​conformity​ ​with​ ​the​ ​CRC.

D. Can​ ​the​ ​CRC​ ​be​ ​directly​ ​enforced​ ​in​ ​the​ ​courts​?

13
The CRC can be directly enforced in Cameroon’s courts. Citizens can directly
invoke the CRC and ask a national judge to apply it as they would any domestic
14
law. As treaty provisions prevail over national laws, a Cameroonian judge
could declare any national law as invalid if such national law is in conflict with
15
the​ ​CRC.

E. Are there examples of domestic courts using or applying the CRC or other
relevant​ ​international​ ​instruments​?

Domestic case law is not readily available online and, as such, it was not
possible to determine whether the CRC or other relevant international
instruments​ ​had​ ​been​ ​applied​ ​in​ ​the​ ​courts.

II. What​ ​is​ ​the​ ​legal​ ​status​ ​of​ ​the​ ​child​?

A. Can children and/or their representatives bring cases in domestic courts to

challenge​ ​violations​ ​of​ ​children's​ ​rights​?

Under the Constitution of Cameroon, every citizen has a right to access justice
16
and defend their rights in court. Child and adult victims are treated the same by
Cameroonian law since there are very few specific laws providing special
procedures for child victims of rights infringement. A few crimes entail more
severe penalty when the victim is a child (for instance rape, immoral earnings),
while other offences specifically target genital mutilations and other harmful
17
traditional​ ​practices.

B. If so, are children of any age permitted to bring these cases by themselves in
their own names/on their own behalf, or must the case be brought by or with the

CRC/C/CMR/3-5,​ ​available​ ​at:

http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC/C/CMR/3-5&La
ng=en​.
12
​ ​ibid​,​ ​para​ ​69.
13
​ ​Nkumbe,​ ​N.​ ​‘The​ ​effectiveness​ ​of​ ​domestic​ ​complaint​ ​mechanisms​ ​in​ ​the​ ​protection​ ​of​ ​human​ ​rights​ ​in
Cameroon,’​ ​Cameroon​ ​Journal​ ​on​ ​Democracy​ ​and​ ​Human​ ​Rights,​ ​Vol​ ​5,​ ​No​ ​2,​ ​December​ ​2011,​ ​page​ ​29,
available​ ​at:
http://web.archive.org/web/20150412004408/http://www.cjdhr.org:80/2011-12/Ndode-Ngube-Nkumbe.p
df​.
14
​ ​ibid.
15
​ ​ibid.
16
​ ​Constitution​ ​of​ ​Cameron,​ ​Preamble.
17
​ ​See​ ​Law​ ​No.​ ​2016/007​ ​of​ ​July​ ​12,​ ​2016,​ ​relating​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Penal​ ​Code​ ​(​ ​the​ ​“Penal​ ​Code”),​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/details.jsp?id=16366​.​ ​Article​ ​277-3​ ​prohibits​ ​torture,​ ​and​ ​Title​ ​III​ ​spell
out​ ​other​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​torture​ ​and​ ​violence​ ​and​ ​prescribes​ ​the​ ​penalty​ ​for​ ​such​ ​offences.
3
 assistance​ ​of​ ​a​ ​representative​?

Under Cameroonian law, there is no uniform overarching definition of a child,

as there are different ages scattered in different pieces of legislation. The
situation is further compounded by the fact that there are differences in
definition under the French civil law and the English common law both
applicable in Cameroon. As a result, there is no uniform legal age of majority
applicable to the whole country. In civil matters, under the French Civil Code of
1804 (which is applicable in Francophone Cameroon), the age of majority is 21
18
years, so a minor is defined as anyone below the age of 21 years. However,
under the common law applicable to the two regions that comprise Anglophone
19
Cameroon , a minor is anyone below 18, whilst the draft Child Protection Code
defines a child as everyone below the age of 18 for electoral and criminal
20
majority,​ ​and​ ​21​ ​for​ ​civil​ ​majority.

In line with the provisions of the French Civil Code, a child does not have legal
capacity to bring a case alone, but can do so with the assistance of their parents,
21
legal​ ​representative,​ ​or​ ​court-appointed​ ​guardian.

Under the common law applicable in Cameroon, it appears that a child can only
bring​ ​a​ ​case​ ​with​ ​the​ ​assistance​ ​of​ ​a​ ​representative.22

C. In​ ​the​ ​case​ ​of​ ​infants​ ​and​ ​young​ ​children,​ ​how​ ​would​ ​cases​ ​typically​ ​be​ ​brought?

As explained above, minors do not have the right to initiate legal proceedings in
courts and therefore any kind of court action to challenge violations of children’s
rights must be brought by their legal representative (i.e., either the parent or the
guardian).

D. Would children or their representatives be eligible to receive free or subsidised

legal​ ​assistance​ ​in​ ​bringing​ ​these​ ​kinds​ ​of​ ​cases​?

According to a report by UNICEF, children in Cameroon rarely have access to

18
​ ​Article​ ​388​ ​of​ ​the​ ​French​ ​Civil​ ​Code.
19
​ ​The​ ​law​ ​applicable​ ​in​ ​Anglophone​ ​Cameroon​ ​is​ ​the​ ​English​ ​common​ ​law,​ ​doctrines​ ​of​ ​equity​ ​and
statutes​ ​of​ ​general​ ​application,​ ​as​ ​applicable​ ​in​ ​Anglophone​ ​Cameroon,​ ​which​ ​were​ ​in​ ​force​ ​in​ ​England
on​ ​1​ ​January,​ ​1900.​ ​See:​ ​Fombad,​ ​Charles​ ​Manga.​ ​‘Researching​ ​Cameroonian​ ​Law’,​ ​2007,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Cameroon.htm​.
20
​ ​See​ ​“In​ ​the​ ​Best​ ​Interests​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child​ ​–​ ​Harmonising​ ​Laws​ ​on​ ​Children​ ​in​ ​West​ ​and​ ​Central​ ​Africa”.
Addis​ ​Ababa:​ ​The​ ​African​ ​Child​ ​Policy​ ​Forum.​ ​(ACPF​ ​Report)​ ​(2011)​ ​p.​ ​18,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/sites/default/files/documents/6325.pdf​.​ ​It​ ​seems​ ​that​ ​the​ ​project​ ​of
Child​ ​protection​ ​code​ ​has​ ​since​ ​been​ ​included​ ​in​ ​a​ ​wider​ ​reform​ ​of​ ​civil​ ​law​ ​with​ ​the​ ​current​ ​elaboration
of​ ​a​ ​new​ ​Civil​ ​code​ ​draft:​ ​see​ ​Combined​ ​third​ ​to​ ​fifth​ ​periodic​ ​reports​ ​of​ ​States​ ​parties​ ​due​ ​in​ ​2015,
Cameroon,​ ​5​ ​September​ ​2016,​ ​CRC/C/CMR/3-5,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=CRC%2fC%2fCMR%
2f3-5&Lang=en​.
21
​ ​Articles​ ​389-406​ ​of​ ​the​ ​French​ ​Civil​ ​Code,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/c_code.html​.
22
​ ​Anglophone​ ​Cameroon​ ​follows​ ​the​ ​English​ ​common​ ​law​ ​system​ ​applicable​ ​in​ ​neighbouring​ ​Nigeria,
under​ ​which​ ​a​ ​child​ ​can​ ​bring​ ​a​ ​case​ ​with​ ​the​ ​assistance​ ​of​ ​a​ ​representative​ ​or​ ​guardian.​ ​See:​ ​Child​ ​Rights
Act​ ​2003,​ ​Nigeria,​ ​Available​ ​at:
http://www.law.yale.edu/rcw/rcw/jurisdictions/afw/nigeria/frontpage.htm​.
4
 23
any​ ​legal​ ​representation​ ​or​ ​assistance,​ ​and​ ​almost​ ​never​ ​in​ ​the​ ​pre-trial​ ​stage.

In April 2009, the Cameroonian President Paul Biya enacted a new law on legal
24
aid, which stipulates the conditions under which legal aid may be provided. It
also establishes commissions with a mandate to examine and process legal aid
25
applications. The law allows individuals who cannot afford to appear before a
court to have their rights enforced and those who have already obtained a writ or
judgment in their favour but are unable to follow through to the enforcement
26
stage for want of resources to make an application for legal aid. Legal aid
commissions have the task of examining and approving applications for legal aid
at all levels of the courts. Under the new law, an application for legal aid may be
made to the secretary of the legal aid commission in the appropriate court either
orally or in writing. The secretary then forwards the petition to the chairperson
of the legal aid commission, who in turn, in consultation with counsel, makes a
determination on whether an applicant qualifies for aid. The law gives the
commission the discretionary power to determine the extent of the legal aid to be
27
provided​ ​to​ ​an​ ​applicant,​ ​be​ ​it​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​proceedings​ ​or​ ​cost.

Unfortunately, it has been reported that these state-controlled legal aid

commission scarcely meet because of a lack of quorum and a discouragingly low
28
remuneration for lawyers, and are fraught with delays. Many of the most
vulnerable citizens are also unaware of the legal aid commissions, meaning that
29
they​ ​do​ ​not​ ​always​ ​provide​ ​efficient​ ​and​ ​timely​ ​access​ ​to​ ​justice.

E. Are there any other conditions or limits on children or chosen legal

representatives bringing cases (e.g., would a child's parents or guardian have to
agree​ ​to​ ​a​ ​case​ ​being​ ​brought)​?

No​ ​further​ ​conditions​ ​or​ ​limits​ ​were​ ​identified.

III. ​ ​How​ ​can​ ​children’s​ ​rights​ ​violations​ ​be​ ​challenged​ ​before​ ​national​ ​courts?

A. If there is a potential violation of the Constitution or other principles established

in domestic law, or with the CRC or other relevant ratified international/regional

23
​ ​ ​Dankoff,​ ​J​ ​and​ ​UNICEF,​ ​‘An​ ​assessment​ ​of​ ​Cameroon’s​ ​Justice​ ​System​ ​for​ ​Children:​ ​Formal​ ​and
Traditional​ ​Responses​ ​to​ ​Children​ ​in​ ​Conflict​ ​with​ ​the​ ​law​ ​and​ ​Child​ ​Victims’,​ ​January​ ​2007,​ ​page​ ​8,
available​ ​at:
http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/english/Cameroon_Final_Justice_for_Children_Assessment_17.1.11.pdf​.
24
​ ​Law​ ​no​ ​2009/004​ ​of​ ​14​ ​April​ ​2009.​ ​See​:​​ ​Annex​ ​to​ ​the​​ ​Fourth​ ​and​ ​fifth​ ​reports​ ​of​ ​Cameroon​ ​to​ ​the
Committee​ ​on​ ​Elimination​ ​of​ ​all​ ​forms​ ​of​ ​Discrimination​ ​Against​ ​Women,​ ​ ​CEDAW/C/CMR/4-5/ADD,
2012,​ ​available​ ​(in​ ​French)​ ​at:
tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=INT/CEDAW/ADD/CMR/1
3389&Lang=fr​.
25
​ ​Vubem,​ ​F.​ ​‘Law​ ​on​ ​Legal​ ​Aid​ ​Provisions,’​ ​Cameroon​ ​Tribune,​ ​April​ ​21,​ ​2009,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200904210248.html​.
26
​ ​ibid.
27
​ ​ibid.
28
​ ​Penal​ ​Reform​ ​International​ ​and​ ​Bluhm​ ​Legal​ ​Clinic​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Northwestern​ ​School​ ​of​ ​law,​ ​‘Access​ ​to
Justice​ ​in​ ​Africa​ ​and​ ​Beyond;,​ ​2007,​ ​page​ ​157,​ ​available​ ​at:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=u_i6PDL3vIoC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&
cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false​.
29
​ ​ibid.
5
 instruments,​ ​how​ ​can​ ​a​ ​legal​ ​challenge​ ​be​ ​brought​?

In Cameroon, the courts are the principal complaint avenue from which victims
of rights violations are able to seek remedies. All courts and complaints
mechanisms​ ​are​ ​available​ ​to​ ​challenge​ ​children’s​ ​rights​ ​violations.

Prior to 2012, the Administrative Bench of the Supreme Court had the exclusive
competence to hear and determine cases of administrative disputes against the
state, public authorities, and public corporations, at both first and last instances.
30
In 2006, a law31 created administrative courts to hear matters against public
authorities. Administrative courts started functioning in 2012. The
Administrative bench of the Supreme Court remains competent in ​cassation
(judicial​ ​review).32

Although courts of ordinary jurisdiction are not competent to hear administrative

matters, they can entertain cases involving administrative officials which they
33
consider​ ​‘non-administrative’.

In 1996, a Constitutional Council was created to assess the constitutionality of

34
laws, treaties, and international agreements. However, matters are referred by
the President of the Republic for review, rather than individuals seeking redress.
35

In 2004, the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF)

was created with the limited mandate to make recommendations in respect of
36
investigated cases of human rights violations to the President of the Republic.
More precisely, the NCHRF has power to ‘receive all denunciations relating to
violations of human rights and freedoms’ and ‘conduct all enquiries and carry
out all the necessary investigations on violations of human rights and
37
freedoms…’. ​Unfortunately the NCHRF has not - but for its 2013 activity
38
report - published reports on interventions to protect children’s rights, or

30
​ ​Section​ ​9(1)​ ​of​ ​Ordinance​ ​No.​ ​72/6​ ​of​ ​26​ ​August​ ​1972​ ​fixing​ ​the​ ​organization​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court,​ ​as
amended​​ ​by​ ​Law​ ​No​ ​2006/015​ ​of​ ​26​ ​December​ ​2006​ ​and​ ​most​ ​recently​ ​Law​ ​No​ ​211/027​ ​of​ ​14​ ​December
2011.
31
​ ​Law​ ​n°2006/022​ ​of​ ​29​ ​December​ ​2006,​ ​establishing​ ​the​ ​organization​ ​and​ ​functioning​ ​of​ ​the
administrative​ ​courts.
32
​ ​See:​ ​10th​ ​congress​ ​of​ ​the​ ​IASAJ​ ​(International​ ​Association​ ​of​ ​Supreme​ ​Administrative​ ​Jurisdictions),
Report​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Administrative​ ​Bench​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​of​ ​Cameroon​,​ ​March​ ​2010,​ ​available​ ​at:
https://www.aihja.org/images/users/1/files/cameroon.en.pdf​.
33
​ ​Nkumbe,​ ​N.​ ​‘The​ ​effectiveness​ ​of​ ​domestic​ ​complaint​ ​mechanisms​ ​in​ ​the​ ​protection​ ​of​ ​human​ ​rights​ ​in
Cameroon,’​ ​Cameroon​ ​Journal​ ​on​ ​Democracy​ ​and​ ​Human​ ​Rights,​ ​Vol​ ​5,​ ​No​ ​2,​ ​December​ ​2011,​ ​page​ ​32,
available​ ​at:
http://web.archive.org/web/20150412004408/http://www.cjdhr.org:80/2011-12/Ndode-Ngube-Nkumbe.p
df​.
34
​ ​Law​ ​N°​ ​96​ ​/06​ ​of​ ​18th​ ​January​ ​1996,​ ​as​ ​described​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Republic​ ​of​ ​Cameroon​ ​site,​ ​available​ ​at:
https://www.prc.cm/en/cameroon/institutions/171-constitutional-council​.
35
​ ​Constitution​ ​of​ ​Cameroon,​ ​Article​ ​8(6).
36
​ ​See​ ​article​ ​2​ ​of​ ​Law​ ​No​ ​2004/016​ ​of​ ​22​ ​July​ ​2004​ ​to​ ​set​ ​up​ ​organization​ ​and​ ​functioning​ ​of​ ​the
National​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Freedoms​ ​that​ ​repeals​ ​Decree​ ​No​ ​90/1459​ ​of​ ​8​ ​November
1990​ ​to​ ​set​ ​up​ ​the​ ​National​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Freedoms.
37
​ ​Id.​ ​at​ ​article​ ​2.
38
​ ​NCHRF’s​ ​2013​ ​activity​ ​report,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.cndhl.cm/index.php/rapports-edh-et-rapports-d-activites​,​ ​see​ ​also,
http://www.cndhl.cm/index.php/protection-et-promotion-des-droits-des-enfants​.
6
 instances where it has granted children access to justice, thus making it difficult
to evaluate the extent to which it has assisted children to challenge their rights
before​ ​national​ ​courts​ ​or​ ​given​ ​them​ ​the​ ​platform​ ​to​ ​be​ ​heard.

Outside of these domestic mechanisms, there are several available regional

mechanisms:

1.​ ​African​ ​Committee​ ​of​ ​Experts​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Welfare​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child

Individuals, including child victims, their parents or legal representatives,

groups, or NGOs recognised by the African Union may submit complaints
(known as “communications”) to the African Committee of Experts on the
Rights and Welfare of the Child (“African Committee”) about violations of the
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (“African Children’s
39
Charter”). All available domestic remedies must have been exhausted before
40
bringing a case to the African Committee. The complaint must include,
amongst other things, the name of the person filing it or, in the case of an NGO,
the name of the legal representative, and whether or not the complainant wishes
41
to remain anonymous and the reasons for this. The African Committee will
investigate the complaint and decide on the merits of the case, and make
recommendations to the State, which may include compensation to the victim(s)
42
and​ ​measures​ ​to​ ​prevent​ ​recurrence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​violation.

2.​ ​African​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​and​ ​Peoples’​ ​Rights

Individuals, groups or NGOs may submit complaints (known as

“communications”) to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
(“African Commission”) about violations of the African Charter on Human and
Peoples’ Rights (“African Charter”).43 All available domestic remedies must
have been exhausted before bringing a case to the African Commission.44 The
complaint must include, amongst other things: the name of the person filing it
or, in the case of an NGO, the name of the legal representative; whether or not
the complainant wishes to remain anonymous and the reasons for this; and the
name of the victim, in a case where he/she is not the complainant.45 The African

39
​ ​African​ ​Charter​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Welfare​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child​ ​(“African​ ​Children’s​ ​Charter”)​,​ ​Article​ ​44,
available​ ​at:
http://acerwc.org/the-african-charter-on-the-rights-and-welfare-of-the-child-acrwc/acrwc-charter-full-text/
.​ ​For​ ​more​ ​information​ ​about​ ​communications,​ ​see:
http://acerwc.org/the-committees-work/communications/​.
40
​ ​African​ ​Committee​ ​of​ ​Experts​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Welfare​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child,​ ​‘Communications’,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://acerwc.org/the-committees-work/communications/​.
41
​ ​War​ ​Resisters'​ ​International,​ ​Quaker​ ​United​ ​Nations​ ​Office​ ​Geneva,​ ​Conscience​ ​and​ ​Peace​ ​Tax
International​ ​and​ ​the​ ​CCPR​ ​Centre,​ ​‘African​ ​Committee​ ​of​ ​Experts​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Welfare​ ​of​ ​the
Child:​ ​communication​ ​procedure’,​ ​2012,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://co-guide.org/mechanism/african-committee-experts-rights-and-welfare-child-communication-proce
dure​.
42
​ ​Ibid.
43
​ ​African​ ​Charter​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​and​ ​Peoples’​ ​Rights​ ​(“African​ ​Charter”),​ ​Article​ ​55,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.achpr.org/instruments/achpr​.
44
​ ​Ibid.,​ ​Article​ ​56(5).
45
​ ​Rules​ ​of​ ​Procedure​ ​of​ ​the​ ​African​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​and​ ​Peoples’​ ​Rights​ ​of​ ​2010,​ ​Rule​ ​93,
available​ ​at:​ ​http://www.achpr.org/instruments/rules-of-procedure-2010/​.
7
 Commission will investigate the complaint and decide on the merits of the case,
and make recommendations to the State, which may include compensation to the
victim(s) and measures to prevent recurrence of the violation.46 If the case
relates to serious or massive human rights violations or if the Commission
considers that the State is unwilling to comply with its recommendations in the
case, the Commission may refer the complaint to the African Court on Human
and​ ​Peoples’​ ​Rights.47

B. What powers would courts have to review these violations, and what remedies
could​ ​they​ ​offer​?

In theory, ordinary and administrative courts, as well as the Supreme Court have
the powers to make relevant orders for restitution, reparations and
48
compensation;​ ​stop​ ​the​ ​violation​ ​and​ ​prohibit​ ​their​ ​recurrence​ ​in​ ​the​ ​future.

The NCHRF may take a variety of actions aimed at finding a satisfactory

solution to rights violations. The 2004 Law founding the Commission empowers
it to summon any party and/or witness for a hearing in accordance with the
49
conditions defined by its rules of procedure. It is an offence under Section R
370 of the Penal Code to fail to appear before the NCHRF when duly served
with a summons. However, the Commission still does not have the competence
to initiate proceedings against persons not respecting its summons. It relies on
the prosecutorial discretion of the competent Legal Departments to which it may
make​ ​a​ ​complaint​ ​to​ ​enforce​ ​the​ ​provision.

The remedial powers of the NCHRF are weak. It can make recommendations to
50
the competent authorities, but these are not binding. The Commission is also
hampered in its ability to provide effective remedies because it is not endowed
with​ ​the​ ​competence​ ​to​ ​take​ ​investigated​ ​cases​ ​to​ ​court​ ​directly.

C. Would such a challenge have to directly involve one or more individual child
victims, or is it possible to challenge a law or action without naming a specific
victim​?

Research​ ​did​ ​not​ ​reveal​ ​any​ ​such​ ​possibilities.

46
​ ​War​ ​Resisters'​ ​International,​ ​Quaker​ ​United​ ​Nations​ ​Office​ ​Geneva,​ ​Conscience​ ​and​ ​Peace​ ​Tax
International​ ​and​ ​the​ ​CCPR​ ​Centre,​ ​‘African​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​and​ ​Peoples'​ ​Rights:​ ​communication
procedure’,​ ​2012,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://co-guide.org/mechanism/african-commission-human-and-peoples-rights-communication-procedure​.
47
​ ​Protocol​ ​to​ ​the​ ​African​ ​Charter​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​and​ ​Peoples'​ ​Rights​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Establishment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​African
Court​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​and​ ​Peoples'​ ​Rights,​ ​Article​ ​5,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.achpr.org/instruments/court-establishment​;​ ​Rules​ ​of​ ​Procedure​ ​of​ ​the​ ​African​ ​Commission​ ​on
Human​ ​and​ ​Peoples’​ ​Rights​ ​of​ ​2010,​ ​Rules​ ​84(2)​ ​and​ ​118,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.achpr.org/instruments/rules-of-procedure-2010​.
48
​ ​Nkumbe,​ ​N.​ ​‘The​ ​effectiveness​ ​of​ ​domestic​ ​complaint​ ​mechanisms​ ​in​ ​the​ ​protection​ ​of​ ​human​ ​rights​ ​in
Cameroon,’​ ​Cameroon​ ​Journal​ ​on​ ​Democracy​ ​and​ ​Human​ ​Rights,​ ​Vol​ ​5,​ ​No​ ​2,​ ​December​ ​2011,​ ​page​ ​30.
49
​ ​Law​ ​no.​ ​2004/016​ ​of​ ​22​ ​July​ ​2004​ ​to​ ​set​ ​up​ ​the​ ​Organisation​ ​and​ ​Functioning​ ​of​ ​the​ ​National
Commission​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Freedoms,​ ​article​ ​3,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.ccdhr.org/cameroon-laws/Law%20on%20the%20Organization%20and%20Functioning%20o
f%20the%20Human%20Rights%20Commission%20in%20Cameroon.pdf​.
50
​ ​ibid.
8
 D. Is any form of collective action or group litigation possible, with or without
naming​ ​individual​ ​victims​?

Class actions and ​actio popularis are not admissible before administrative
courts.51 In front of all jurisdictions, a claimant needs to demonstrate personal
prejudice​ ​and​ ​interest​ ​to​ ​file​ ​a​ ​complaint.52

E. Are non-governmental organisations permitted to file challenges to potential

children's​ ​rights​ ​violations​ ​or​ ​to​ ​intervene​ ​in​ ​cases​ ​that​ ​have​ ​already​ ​been​ ​filed​?

Human rights associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a

leading role in the promotion and protection of children’s rights and human
53
rights. However, to file a complaint, NGOs are subject to the rule set out above
in III.D: they would need to demonstrate they suffered a prejudice and that they
have an interest to bring an action.54 Research did not identify any caselaw that
would​ ​clarify​ ​how​ ​his​ ​requirement​ ​is​ ​interpreted​ ​by​ ​courts.

IV. Practical considerations. ​Please detail some of the practical issues, risks and
uncertainties that might be involved in bringing a case to challenge a violation of
children's​ ​rights,​ ​such​ ​as:

A. Venue​. In what courts could a case be filed (e.g., civil, criminal, administrative,
etc.)?​ ​What​ ​would​ ​the​ ​initial​ ​filing​ ​process​ ​entail?

The courts system falls under two categories: courts of ordinary jurisdiction and
courts with special jurisdiction. The ordinary courts are: Customary Courts,
55
Magistrates Courts , High Courts, Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court. As
explained above in III.A, since 2012, Cameroon has instaured administrative
tribunals ruling over disputes involving a public body. In each case, the
territorial jurisdiction of the court, save for the Supreme Court whose
56
jurisdiction covers the entire national territory, is local. The courts with special
jurisdiction include the Military Court, the State Security Court, the Court of
Impeachment, and the Constitutional Council. There is no specialised children’s
court​ ​within​ ​Cameroon’s​ ​court​ ​structure.

51
​ ​XIIIè​ ​Congress​ ​of​ ​IASAJ​,​ ​report​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​of​ ​Cameroon,​ ​Le​ ​juge​ ​administratif​ ​et​ ​le​ ​droit​ ​de
l’environnement,​ ​2013,​ ​p.6.​ ​Available​ ​(in​ ​French)​ ​at:
https://www.aihja.org/images/users/114/files/Congres_de_Carthagene_-_Rapport_du_Cameroun_2013-CAMEROU
N-FR.pdf​.

52
​ ​Ibid.​ ​See​ ​also:​ ​Law​ ​n°2005/007​ ​of​ ​27​ ​july​ ​2005​ ​relating​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Code​ ​of​ ​Criminal​ ​Procedure​ ​(“Code​ ​of
criminal​ ​procedure”),​ ​section​ ​71,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.icla.up.ac.za/images/un/use-of-force/africa/Cameroon/Criminal​ ​Procedure​ ​Code​ ​Cameroon
2005.pdf​.
53
​ ​N​ ​R​ ​Tanto​ ​“Civil​ ​Society​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Promotion​ ​of​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Democracy​ ​in​ ​Cameroon”​ ​–​ ​World
Alliance​ ​for​ ​citizen​ ​Protection,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.civicus.org/pg/world-democracy-day/1143-civil-society-and-the-promotion-of-human-rights-
and-democracy-in-cameroon​.
54
​X​ IIIè​ ​Congress​ ​of​ ​IASAJ​,​ ​report​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​of​ ​Cameroon,​ ​Le​ ​juge​ ​administratif​ ​et​ ​le​ ​droit​ ​de
l’environnement,​ ​2013,​ ​p.7.
55
​ ​N​ ​R​ ​Tanto​ ​“Civil​ ​Society​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Promotion​ ​of​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Democracy​ ​in​ ​Cameroon”​ ​–​ ​World
Alliance​ ​for​ ​citizen​ ​Protection​.
56
​ ​ibid.
9
 There is a unity of civil and criminal cases, meaning that both are heard in the
57
same courts and judges do not specialise in either. Depending on the nature of
the challenge, a case is filed in the courts of ordinary jurisdiction for civil or
criminal​ ​matters,​ ​or​ ​in​ ​administrative​ ​courts.

Where children have been accused of a crime, the Court of First Instance has
jurisdiction to try all felonies, misdemeanours, and simple offences committed
58
by children aged 10 or older. However, if a child is accused of a crime with an
59
adult​ ​accomplice​ ​or​ ​co-offender,​ ​ordinary​ ​law​ ​courts​ ​have​ ​jurisdiction.

B. Legal aid / Court costs​. Under what conditions would free or subsidised legal
aid be available to child complainants or their representatives through the court
system (i.e., would the case have to present an important legal question or
demonstrate a likelihood of success)? Would child complainants or their
representatives​ ​be​ ​expected​ ​to​ ​pay​ ​court​ ​costs​ ​or​ ​cover​ ​other​ ​expenses?

The 2009 Law that regulates legal aid states that it shall be provided on request
60
to those with limited means, upon authorisation by a commission. The
commission includes the president of the tribunal/court where the matter is
61
pending, magistrates and representatives of the legal profession. The law lists
several categories of individuals entitled to legal aid, including spouse without
62
ressources, caring for children and in the process of divorcing. Children are not
specifically mentioned.63 People outside these categories can nonetheless apply
if​ ​they​ ​lack​ ​sufficient​ ​resources.

Any person applying for legal aid may do so either orally or in writing to the
secretary of the appropriate commission. Legal aid covers legal fees both to
64
courts​ ​(registration,​ ​caution,​ ​signature​ ​fees,​ ​and​ ​stamps)​ ​and​ ​to​ ​lawyers.

There are no provisions that provide exemption from payment of court cost for
children outside of this legal aid system. As such, those who do not manage to
obtain legal aid may face debilitating boundaries when filing a case. As
explained in part II.D, the legal aid commissions are critically lacking in
resources​ ​and​ ​rarely​ ​convene.

C. Pro bono / Financing​. If legal aid is not available, would it be possible for child
complainants or their representatives to obtain legal assistance from practising
lawyers on a pro bono basis, through a children's rights organisation, or under an

57
​ ​Samuelson,​ ​Henry.​ ​‘The​ ​force​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Cameroon​ ​Legal​ ​System,’​ ​HG​ ​Legal​ ​Resources,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=7156​.
58
​ ​Code​ ​of​ ​Criminal​ ​Procedure,​ ​section​ ​713.
59
​ ​ibid.
60
​ ​Law​ ​no​ ​2009/004​ ​of​ ​14​ ​April​ ​2009.
61
​ ​ibid.
62
​ ​Annex​ ​to​ ​the​​ ​Fourth​ ​and​ ​fifth​ ​reports​ ​of​ ​Cameroon​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Committee​ ​on​ ​Elimination​ ​of​ ​all​ ​forms​ ​of
Discrimination​ ​Against​ ​Women​,​ ​CEDAW/C/CMR/4-5/ADD,​ ​2012,​ ​available​ ​(in​ ​French)​ ​at:
tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/Download.aspx?symbolno=INT/CEDAW/ADD/CMR/1
3389&Lang=fr​.
63
​ ​However,​ ​it​ ​seems​ ​that​ ​children,​ ​when​ ​they​ ​are​ ​defendants,​ ​are​ ​automatically​ ​appointed​ ​a​ ​lawyer.​ ​See
Combined​ ​third​ ​to​ ​fifth​ ​periodic​ ​reports​ ​of​ ​States​ ​parties​ ​due​ ​in​ ​2015,​ ​Cameroon,​ ​5​ ​September​ ​2016,
CRC/C/CMR/3-5​,​ ​para.​ ​66.
64
​ ​Ibid.
10
 agreement​ ​that​ ​does​ ​not​ ​require​ ​the​ ​payment​ ​of​ ​legal​ ​fees​ ​up​ ​front?

Some voluntary organisations such as the Cameroonian Association of Female

65
Jurists and Lawyers without Borders offer free assistance in some cases. The
Cameroonian Bar Association, which is an independent organisation, also plays
an active role in attempting to provide access to justice for all. They have set up
legal aid centres in various courts to help guide citizens through the judicial
process, inform them of their entitlement to legal aid, and provide legal
66
consultation.

D. Timing. How soon after a violation would a case have to be brought? Are there
any special provisions that allow young adults to bring cases about violations of
their​ ​rights​ ​that​ ​occurred​ ​when​ ​they​ ​were​ ​children?

In criminal matters, limitation periods apply, which bar prosecution following

the failure to commence action. In the case of a felony, criminal proceedings are
barred after ten years from the day following the day of commission of the
felony, unless measures (such as investigation measures, filing of a complaint...)
are taken within that period, in which case the limitation period starts again. For
most misdemeanours, the limitation period is of three years. For lesser offences,
prosecution is barred after one year.67 Research did not find any provision
allowing​ ​adults​ ​to​ ​file​ ​complaints​ ​for​ ​violation​ ​that​ ​occurred​ ​during​ ​childhood.

E. Evidence. What sort of evidence is admissible / required to prove a violation?

Are there particular rules, procedures or practices for dealing with evidence that
is​ ​produced​ ​or​ ​presented​ ​by​ ​children?

Under section 183 of the Evidence Act, children may give evidence only in the
judges’ chambers, but not in open court, if the court is be satisfied that the child
68
understands the questions put to him and can answer. However, the evidence of
the child, by reason of their young age, usually requires corroboration (as in
69
sexual​ ​offences)​ ​in​ ​both​ ​civil​ ​and​ ​criminal​ ​cases.

Cameroon has put in place mechanisms to ensure that children are heard in both
civil and criminal proceedings, including the ability to give evidence in court.
The State Report to the CRC in 2001 explained that the views of children are
taken into account either directly or through a parent, guardian, or legal
70
representative​ ​in​ ​legal​ ​and​ ​administrative​ ​proceedings.

65
​ ​See​ ​“Country​ ​Reports​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​Practices​ ​for​ ​2013​ ​–​ ​Cameroon,​ ​United​ ​States​ ​Department​ ​of
State​ ​–​ ​Bureau​ ​of​ ​Democracy,​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​and​ ​Labor”,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/220302.pdf​.
66
​ ​Njupouen,​ ​I.​ ​B.​ ​R.,​ ​disssertation​ ​under​ ​the​ ​supervision​ ​of​ ​Dr.​ ​George​ ​Larbi,​ ​‘Access​ ​to​ ​Justice​ ​for​ ​the
poor:​ ​what​ ​role​ ​for​ ​Bar​ ​Associations?​ ​The​ ​case​ ​of​ ​Cameroon.’,​ ​2005,​ ​page​ ​53,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.ibanet.org/Docu​ment/Default.aspx?DocumentUid=8F020FA1-D13A-4429-BF51-F9C08672D255​.
67
​ ​Code​ ​of​ ​criminal​ ​procedure,​ ​section​ ​65.
68
​ ​As​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in​ ​“In​ ​the​ ​Best​ ​Interests​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child​ ​–​ ​Harmonising​ ​Laws​ ​on​ ​Children​ ​in​ ​West​ ​and​ ​Central
Africa”.​ ​Addis​ ​Ababa:​ ​The​ ​African​ ​Child​ ​Policy​ ​Forum.​ ​(ACPF​ ​Report)​ ​(2011)​ ​p.​ ​44.
69
​ ​ibid.
70
​ ​Committee​ ​on​ ​the​ ​Rights​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Child,​ ​Initial​ ​Reports​ ​of​ ​States​ ​Parties​ ​Due​ ​in​ ​1995,​ ​Addendum:
Cameroon,​ ​23,​ ​U.N.​ ​Doc​ ​CRC/C/28/Add.​ ​16​ ​(Mar.​ ​26,​ ​2001),​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.bayefsky.com/reports/cameroon_crc_c_28_add.16_2000.doc​.
11
 In criminal matters, any matter involving a juvenile is heard in camera. The
only persons entitled to attend the hearing are the parents, the infant's custodian
or guardian as well as the witnesses, counsel, the representatives of services or
institutions dealing with problems relating to children and probation officers.
However, the judge may allow the presence of the representatives of
organizations responsible for the protection of human rights and the right of the
child.71

F. Resolution. How long might it take to get a decision from the court as to
whether​ ​there​ ​has​ ​been​ ​a​ ​violation?

There are long delays in trial due to a lack of prioritisation of children’s cases by
states counsel and investigating magistrates, and a slow judicial system. The
72
long​ ​delays​ ​lead​ ​to​ ​a​ ​lengthy​ ​pre-trial​ ​detention​ ​period​ ​for​ ​many​ ​children.

G. Appeal.​​ ​ ​What​ ​are​ ​the​ ​possibilities​ ​for​ ​appealing​ ​a​ ​decision​ ​to​ ​a​ ​higher​ ​court?

In Cameroon, the Courts of Appeal and the Supreme Court have appellate
73
jurisdiction.
74
The Court of Appeal’s jurisdiction is exclusively appellate. It hears appeals on
points of law, facts or mixed law and fact against judgments delivered by the
lower courts, including appeals against the ruling of the investigating
75
magistrates​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​appeals​ ​on​ ​matters​ ​such​ ​as​ ​bail​ ​and​ ​rehabilitation.

Technically speaking, the Supreme Court of Cameroon is not a court of ultimate

appeal. It is primarily a court of cassation and only rarely does it decide a case
on its merits. It reviews the decision, not the case itself, and hears petitions
alleging an error of law in the judgment of a lower court. Its sole function is to
ensure that judgments of lower courts are in consonance with the law. When the
courts quashes a decision, it sends the case back to be retried (on facts and law)
by a court of the same jurisdiction as the one whose judgment was set aside.
When​ ​the​ ​court​ ​dismisses​ ​the​ ​appeal​ ​the​ ​previous​ ​judgments​ ​stands.

H. Impact. What are the potential short-term and long-term impacts of a negative
decision? Is there a possibility for political backlash or repercussions from a
positive​ ​decision?

There is a strong possibility for backlash against a positive decision. There have
been reports of violent backlash against rights activists. In 2011, a local human
rights activist was killed after challenging the political appointment of two local
76
traditional rulers. It has been reported that the gendarmerie or authorities often

71
​ ​Code​ ​of​ ​criminal​ ​procedure,​ ​article​ ​720.
72
​ ​Dankoff,​ ​J​ ​and​ ​UNICEF,​ ​‘An​ ​assessment​ ​of​ ​Cameroon’s​ ​Justice​ ​System​ ​for​ ​Children:​ ​Formal​ ​and
Traditional​ ​Responses​ ​to​ ​Children​ ​in​ ​Conflict​ ​with​ ​the​ ​law​ ​and​ ​Child​ ​Victims’,​ ​January​ ​2007,​ ​page​ ​8,
available​ ​at:
http://www.unicef.org/wcaro/english/Cameroon_Final_Justice_for_Children_Assessment_17.1.11.pdf​.
73
​ ​Samuelson,​ ​Henry.​ ​‘The​ ​Force​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Cameroon​ ​Legal​ ​System’.
74
​ ​ibid.
75
​ ​ibid.
76
​ ​United​ ​States​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​State,​ ​Bureau​ ​of​ ​Democracy,​ ​Human​ ​Rights,​ ​and​ ​Labour:​ ​‘Country
12
 manipulate the judicial system, carry out arbitrary arrests, and target the victim’s
77
family​ ​in​ ​order​ ​to​ ​lead​ ​the​ ​investigation​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​actual​ ​perpetrators.

I. Follow up​. What other concerns or challenges might be anticipated in enforcing

a​ ​positive​ ​decision?

Cameroon has a unique legal system, which is reminiscent of its colonial past. It
is referred to as a bi-jural country, which alludes to the dual application of the
78
French and English legal traditions. While French-orientated civil law applies
in eight provinces of the country, English common law applies in the remaining
79
two English-speaking provinces. Such duality may result in difficulties in
enforcing​ ​a​ ​positive​ ​decision.

However, Section 8(1) of the judicial organisation ordinance of 1972 provides

that judicial decisions and orders are enforceable throughout Cameroon, across
80
the co-existing Anglophone and Francophone legal systems. This provision
explicitly provides that a judicial decision made in one district would still be
81
enforceable​ ​in​ ​another.

The organising and regulating the activities of bailiffs, the responsibility for
enforcing court judgements, orders, etc, lies on bailiffs and process-servers and
not on procureurs general and state counsels who are merely required “to lend
82
them support”. Nevertheless S. 24 (1) of the 1972 judicial organisation
ordinance empowers the legal department to ensure the enforcement of laws,
regulations​ ​and​ ​judgement

V. Additional factors. Please list any other national laws, policies or practices you
believe would be relevant to consider when contemplating legal action to
challenge​ ​a​ ​violation​ ​of​ ​children's​ ​rights.

Research​ ​did​ ​not​ ​reveal​ ​any​ ​additional​ ​factors.

This report is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not
be​ ​construed​ ​as​ ​legal​ ​advice.

Reports​ ​on​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​Practices​ ​for​ ​2013:​ ​Cameroon’,​ ​page​ ​9,​ ​available​ ​at:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/220302.pdf​.
77
​ ​ibid.
78
​ ​Nchunu​ ​Justice​ ​Sama,​ ​“Providing​ ​legal​ ​aid​ ​in​ ​criminal​ ​justice​ ​in​ ​Cameroon,​ ​the​ ​role​ ​of​ ​lawyers”,​ ​in
National​ ​Institute​ ​for​ ​Trial​ ​Advocacy,​ ​Access​ ​to​ ​Justice​ ​in​ ​Africa​ ​and​ ​Beyond:​ ​Making​ ​the​ ​rule​ ​of​ ​law​ ​a
reality​,​ ​2007,​ ​page​ ​153,​ ​available​ ​at:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=u_i6PDL3vIoC&pg=PA153&lpg=PA153​.
79
​ ​ibid.
80
​ ​Samuelson,​ ​H.​ ​‘The​ ​Force​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Cameroon​ ​Legal​ ​System’.
81
​ ​ibid.
82
​ ​S.​ ​1​ ​(1)​ ​(b)​ ​of​ ​decree​ ​n°79/448​ ​of​ ​5/11/79​ ​modified​ ​by​ ​decree​ ​n°85/238​ ​of​ ​22/2/85,​ ​as​ ​set​ ​out​ ​in
Samuelson,​ ​Henry.​ ​‘The​ ​force​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Cameroon​ ​Legal​ ​System’.
13
14