By Peterkins Manyong
Human rights groups in the Northwest Province have hailed the new Criminal Procedure Code, CPC, saying it contains much to enhance and protect individual freedoms.
Opening a two-day training workshop for journalists and group leaders, Joseph Chongsi Ayeah, Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, CHRAPA, and Chairman of the Union of Northwest Human Rights Organisations, UNOWHURO, said it was a human rights document.
He recalled that the Code was adopted, promulgated into law and went into force in January 2007, after the harmonisation of the French Civil Law and English Common Law systems inherited from Cameroon's two colonial masters.
To him, as to many Cameroonians, he said "suspects can now take along their lawyers when summoned either by the police or by the examining magistrate. And lawyers can now visit their clients in detention centres."
He was equally pleased with the fact that family members can also visit detainees who can call their doctors when in need of medical assistance. Equally commendable, Chongsi pointed out, is the fact that the period of remand in custody is no longer indefinite and children under 12 can only be detained under exceptional circumstances.
Impunity Condemned
The optimism of Chongsi and other opinion leaders during the workshop was not embraced in its entirety by the Northwest representative of the National Commission for Human Rights, NCHRF, Nelson Ndi.
While acknowledging that the Code was revolutionary in issues like the presumption of innocence before somebody is declared guilty, he, however, noted that most of the duty bearers charged with giving effect to the Code have manifestly resolved to bypass its implementation.
Many of them, he said, are still acting in disregard of this laudable instrument, which has instituted checks to arbitrary action that was beneficial to them. Besides, he said, there is still excessive use of force and authority.
Outlawed practices such as extortion of large sums of money in the name of bail from people held in custody, he regretted, are still commonplace.The NCHRF representative advised fellow Cameroonians to first imbibe and maintain a firm grip of the Code. That it would be out of place for the population to continue in illegality and at the same time demand from duty bearers the respect of their rights and liberties.
"Rights and liberties are never given but seized," he further advised, saying it is the place of the population to give effect to the rule of law by standing and claiming their rights as laid down in the Criminal Procedure Code.
Two judges who attended the workshop demonstrated a firm grasp of the Code. Justice Peter Mgbagbaw of the Mbengwi High Court and Justice Angeline Atabong of the Bamenda High Court explained the pertinent sections of the Code.
Justice Mgbagbaw spoke on libel and press laws, while Justice Atabong spoke on arrests, detentions, imprisonment and fines.
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