London: Priest details human rights abuses in Nigeria for Amnesty group

Father Charles Soyombo

Human Rights Abuses in West Africa were the focus for Westminster and Bayswater's monthly meeting on Tuesday, 19 September.

Marie-France Nguo and Tigony Phillips, country coordinators with Amnesty UK for West and Central Africa told the group about a wave of human rights abuses, sweeping the area, while Father Charles Soyombo, a Nigerian priest from Holy Apostles Catholic Church, Pimlico, gave background on Boko Haram.

"Impunity and a failing justice system for civilians is problematic, not just in Cameroon, but in the whole area, and, indeed, around the world," reported Tigony, who commented on the number of State authorities worldwide themselves causing violence and suffering.

In Cameroon, the crackdown on people simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly has targeted supporters of the main opposition party, human rights defenders and protesters from the anglophone region, as well as members of a social movement.

One victim of this crackdown is Dorgelesse Nguessan is a hairdresser and a single mother of a disabled 17-year-old boy. She was inspired to go on her first-ever march, an MRC-led protest (Mouvement pour la Renaissance du Cameroun), on 22 September 2020. This went ahead despite a ban by the authorities. The march was peaceful, but the security forces used teargas and water cannons to disperse protesters and arrested over 500 people, including Dorgelesse. Along with others, she was subjected to excessive force, torture, and other ill-treatment in detention. Dorgelesse was first held at a police station in Douala. There, she was prevented from receiving visitors or showering for several days and forced to sleep on a mattress with other detainees. A police officer later attempted to sexually assault her when she was alone in the shower. She was sentenced on 7 December 2021 to five years in prison for "insurrection", "rebellion" and "endangering state security". Meanwhile, her mother and her son, who has cycle cell anaemia, face destitution as she is the sole bread winner of their family.

More than a hundred people are being similarly arbitrarily detained in Cameroon, simply for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Targeted particularly are supporters of the main opposition party, human rights defenders, protesters from the anglophone region, and members of a social movement.

Elaborating on this wave of violence in West Africa, Father Charles Soyombo, highlighted the impunity enjoyed by groups like Boko Haram, which perpetrate violence in the area. He explained the name Boko Haram means Anti-Western, or Anti-Christian Education, and is an umbrella organisation for groups running, what he called "a network of evil and a chain of violence and impunity, with influence running right up to the Government in Nigeria." He cited that one Vice President of Nigeria had been seating sitting down to eat with Boko Haram leaders.

"This has induced a sense of helplessness across the region, and is one reason so many people are leaving Nigeria," said Father Charles, citing the failure of the Nigerian Government to come out directly against the Pentecost massacre of 50 Owo parishoners, men, women and children, during Mass last spring, which also left hundreds of others maimed and injured. He pointed out that it is important not to forget that Boko Haram also targets Muslims.

Group Co-Chair, Tom Shacklock, who works for Genocide Watch, added that as well as Christians being targeted, the Fulani have also been attacked by Boko Haram, and warned against tarring all Islamic groups with the same brush. A further in-depth workshop on West Africa is being planned by the Group.

LINK

Westminster Amnesty group - www.amnesty.org.uk/groups/westminster-and-bayswater/about-0

Amnesty International Nigeria - www.amnesty.org.ng/

Dorgelesse Nguessan - www.amnesty.org/en/search/dorgelesse%2520nguessan/