70-80 percent inmates in various prisons await trial

The condition of persons detained and prisoners in most prisons in Cameroon is saddening. According to figures from the Cameroon government to the Committee for the Fight against Torture under the United Nations in March 2010, of the 23,196 detainees in Cameroonian prisons, 14,265 were awaiting trial while just 8,931 were judged and condemned. In a report by Avocats sans Frontières revealed that 70 to 80 percent of inmates are awaiting trial, a declaration confirmed by European Union Representative, Nicolas Bernanga.

The disturbing data couple with overcrowded cells, poor living conditions and discharge and acquitted persons still detained because they have not paid the required sum pushed Avocats sans Frontières Cameroon to put in place dignity in detention programme aimed to assist inmates.

The project that kicked-off in December 2010 carried out 20 visits in the Bamenda, Douala, Ngaoundere and Yaounde prisons and sensitised over 4,500 inmates on their fundamental rights.

The humanitarian group also gave free judicial assistance to some 574 vulnerable inmates among which 291 cases were trashed and 160 of them liberated. The project has as well reinforce the capacity of 422 actors of the prison milieu on the rights of detainees among whom are barristers, judicial police officers, prison guards and other actors in the penitentiary administration.

During the event to end the three-year project, the Registrar of the Douala Central Prison acknowledged that of the 2,737 inmates in the New Bell prison, 220 benefited from the services of Avocats sans Frontières.

He as well acknowledged that the prison is overcrowded with one guard taking care of 17 prisoners instead of five, thus, the need for additional staff and structures. The project’s Secretary General, Honoré Yana and its Coordinator, Patricia Ndjandjo said with the project, detention conditions has improved significantly. The Project Coordinator of Avocats san Frontières France, Anne Lutun, revealed that they have 21 branches in 21 countries fighting for the same cause- the defence of the vulnerable.