Constitutional Amendment Bolsters Dictatorship in Cameroon
| 08/05/2008 [1 Commentaire] |
|
Source: Redaction (Picam)
PICAM denounces the manipulation of the country's constitution by the Biya regime and his CPDM party which resulted in the amendment of the 1996 Constitution on April 10, 2008.
This amendment which was signed into law on April 14, 2008 gives Mr. Paul Biya the ability to effectively become President for Life in Cameroon. Cameroonians are tired of the mediocrity, corruption, tribalism, nepotism, and embezzlement that have characterized the 26 years rule of Mr. Biya in Cameroon.Cameroonians deserve a transparent government. The current political dynamics in Cameroon does not give Cameroonians any hope for the future. The time to begin working for a better Cameroon for all Cameroonians is no more urgent than now. PICAM denounces the manipulation of the country's constitution by the Biya regime and his CPDM party which resulted in the amendment of the 1996 Constitution on April 10, 2008. This amendment which was signed into law on April 14, 2008 gives Mr. Paul Biya the ability to effectively become President for Life in Cameroon. Cameroonians are tired of the mediocrity, corruption, tribalism, nepotism, and embezzlement that have characterized the 26 years rule of Mr. Biya in Cameroon.
PICAM is very concerned at the arbitrary arrests and indefinite detention of many young Cameroonians, some of who have been summarily sentenced to capricious prison terms without trial or defense. PICAM recognizes that these young Cameroonians are prisoners of conscience who were jailed mainly to punish them for demonstrating against the constitutional amendment in Cameroon. Their detention is also being used by the regime as an intimidation and terrorizing strategy following the constitutional amendment that was eventually carried out. PICAM is calling on the Government of Cameroon to immediately release the thousands of Cameroonian prisoners of conscience still languishing in prisons all across the country. PICAM is also calling on the Government of Cameroon to end hostilities against fellow Cameroonians who are exercising their constitutional rights of freedom of speech expression, and assembly.
Paul Biya who came to power in 1982 has been President for more than a quarter century and basically sees no end to his stay in power. Meanwhile, the Biya regime is responsible for sinking the nation's wealth and viability, while remaining a source of terror for Cameroonians. Paul Biya was able to proceed with his dubious plan to amend the constitution through the unconditional support of the CPDM-dominated National Assembly. It should be recalled that the current overwhelmingly CPDM dominated parliament became effective following the massively rigged municipal and legislative elections of July 22, 2007. Little surprise therefore that the main goal of that electoral fraud has been carried out without shame.
The selfish intention of the proponent of this constitutional change is clearly portrayed in article 53(3) of the revised constitution that attempts to give regime elements coverage and immunity from prosecution for acts or omissions committed in the exercise of their illegal actions. PICAM is calling on Cameroonians to continue to maintain when possible, appropriate records, documents, and other forms of evidence pertaining to the atrocities of the regime in Cameroon. Members of the repressive regime in Cameroon should not hold the false belief that they can avoid or create a framework that will exculpate them from the atrocities committed against the country and the people of Cameroon. PICAM is therefore calling on Cameroonians, especially those living in the diaspora to begin thinking and initiating serious international legal measures, including law suits using the principle of universal jurisdiction to bring Mr. Biya and his associates to justice before foreign courts.
The recent constitutional maneuver in Cameroon lacks the spirit of the very basis of the legitimacy of power. PICAM maintains that since the process leading to this amendment was illegitimate, everything that comes with it is illegal ab initio. PICAM is reiterating its solemn and unequivocal opposition to the recent constitutional amendment in Cameroon that was aimed at giving President Paul Biya the possibility of seeking another term of office. PICAM is therefore urging President Paul Biya to make it clear before all Cameroonians and the international community that he will not seek re-election at the end of his current and final term which ends in 2011.Cameroon needs a legitimate government, not the military-backed autocracy currently being imposed on Cameroonians. The legitimacy of a government is determined by the process by which it comes into being. The current regime in Cameroon does not satisfy the test of legitimacy warranted of a government. As recognized in the preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
“Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.”Cameroonians deserve a transparent government of the people, for the people, and by the people. The current political dynamics in Cameroon does not give Cameroonians any hope for the future. It is imperative that immediate steps be taken to redress the socio-political situation in the country before things degenerate beyond control. The time to begin working for a better Cameroon for all Cameroonians is no more urgent than now.PICAM is again calling on the government, opposition political parties, and the civil society to work together to establish a viable political process and institutions that foster democratic reforms and national unity. Such a process must begin immediately so that a clear democratic framework is in place before 2011. Such a framework must make it possible for everyone to be actively engaged in the democratic process; hold perpetrators of economic crimes and human rights violations accountable; and make the respect for human rights paramount by respecting and fulfilling obligations imposed by national and international laws.
Articles de la rubrique: Après la révision constitutionnelle...
Publicité
