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Amnesty Demands Release of 36 Cameroon Opposition Supporters Held Since 2020

The rights group cites military-court convictions alongside stalled Supreme Court appeals as evidence of shrinking civic space before the 12 October election.

A policeman patrols as supporters gather during a rally in support of the leader of the Cameroonian opposition party Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon (MRC) in Yaounde
Cameroonian opponents of President Paul Biya shout slogans during a demonstration against him and his government near the embassy of Cameroon in Paris on September 22, 2020. Picture: AFP

Overview

  • Thirty-six MRC supporters arrested during peaceful protests on 22 September 2020 remain in Kondengui prison after military-court sentences of five to seven years.
  • Amnesty International calls the detentions arbitrary and urges immediate release, noting a 2022 UN Working Group opinion that found the detention of 15 leaders and activists arbitrary.
  • A lawyer for the detainees says 36 appeals filed since 2022 await Supreme Court rulings, 24 prisoners will reach five-year terms by the end of September, and one detainee has suffered three strokes without medical release.
  • The UN human rights office warned on 2 September that civic and democratic space is deteriorating ahead of the presidential vote, where 92-year-old President Paul Biya seeks another seven-year term.
  • Recent pre-election actions include the 4 August arrest of at least 54 MRC supporters near the Constitutional Council, all later bailed with 23 still facing prosecution, and the 9 August detention in Douala of a man over videos calling for demonstrations.