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Alerts - Cameroon

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Cameroon

Officials stifling freedom of association, says Freedom House

A workshop held by SID'ADO, a registered civic organisation, focusing on human rights and sexual orientation was interrupted by demonstrators who declared that homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon and that the meeting would not take place.

Cameroon

Coup charges against writer dropped, still faces military tribunal

There have been worrying allegations that the evidence against Enoh Meyomesse is fabricated.

Cameroon

Writer detained, faces up to 50 years in prison

There are allegations that the charges of "attempting a coup," "possessing a firearm," and "aggravated theft" faced by Enoh Meyomesse are based on fabricated evidence.

Cameroon

Journalist detained, asked to reveal sources

Authorities pressed François Fogno Fotso to reveal the sources for a story, published in August 2010, detailing alleged corruption by a tax official.

Cameroon

Human Rights Watch urges government to eliminate law used to entrap for sexual orientation

The arrest, conviction, and sentencing of Roger Jean-Claude Mbede to three years in prison for being homosexual is a gross violation of Mbede's rights to freedom of expression and equality guaranteed by the Cameroonian constitution, Human Rights Watch said.

Cameroon

Author jailed for insult released

Bertrand Teyou was accused of 'insulting' President Paul Biya's wife in his 2010 book "The Belle of the Banana Republic".

Cameroon

Songwriter released

Lapiro de Mbanga was freed on completion of a three-year prison sentence for allegedly instigating anti-government riots.

Cameroon

Reporter detained after questioning arrests

Lamissia Adoularc was detained for inquiring about the arrests of two employees of a state-run palm oil company.

Cameroon

Newspaper banned, editor given suspended prison sentence

"Paroles" editor Jean-Marie Tchatchouang was convicted of defamation, and given a six-month suspended prison sentence and a fine.

Cameroon

Author jailed for insulting president's wife

Bertrand Teyou has been detained since November 2010 for "insulting" President Biya's wife in a book published in 2010 and for attempting to hold a public reading of the offending text.

Cameroon

Editor charged with criminal libel

The charges against Jean-Marie Tchatchouang are based on a complaint by the CEO of Douala's main bus company following allegations that he and his wife had embezzled public subsidies and employed abusive labour practices.

Cameroon

Government blocks Twitter via SMS service

RSF is having difficulty establishing whether Cameroonian mobile phone operator MTN's Twitter via SMS service has finally been restored after being blocked for about 10 days.

Cameroon

Freedom House calls for release of political and civil society activists

The arrests of eight political and civil society activists were triggered by calls for demonstrations on the anniversary of riots that took place in February 2008.

Cameroon

Editor charged over leaked official document

Raphaël Nkamtchuen is free pending trial but he told CPJ he has gone into hiding after receiving threatening phone calls.

Cameroon

Security forces obstructing journalists

Security forces detained a journalist after he interviewed a jailed former official and seized footage from reporters covering the brutal repression of a banned opposition march.

Cameroon

Two journalists released conditionally after nine months in prison

President Paul Biya ordered the release of Robert Mintya and Serge Sabouang.

Cameroon

Authorities maintain their position on newspaper editor's death in prison

Bibi Ngota died "as a result of infections linked to HIV, in a context in which his immune system completely collapsed," the report indicated.

Cameroon

Newspaper editor hospitalised after being attacked in his cell

Imprisoned editor Robert Mintya was taken to a hospital more than two weeks after being seriously injured by a fellow inmate.

Cameroon

"La Détente Libre" editor freed

Lewis Medjo, who was taken into temporary custody on 22 September 2008 for "disseminating false news", was sentenced to three years in prison on 7 January 2009.

Cameroon

Two years on, songwriter remains imprisoned

Lapiro de Mbanga's appeal is still pending before the Supreme Court following numerous delays.

Cameroon

Journalist dies in detention

Ngota Ngota Germain, editor of the weekly "Cameroun Express", had been held in Kondengui jail in Yaoundé for nearly two months.

Cameroon

CPJ alarmed by harassment of journalists

CPJ has written to Cameroonian President Paul Biya expressing alarm over a number of recent cases targeting local journalists.

Cameroon

Two journalists held by intelligence agency freed after seven days

Simon Hervé Nko'o and Serge Sabouang were detained without explanation.

Cameroon

Journalists summoned for commenting on corruption-related legal cases

The journalists were investigating the misappropriation of public funds in a country considered to be among the world's most corrupt.

Cameroon

Authorities urged to account for two journalists held incommunicado by intelligence agency

There has been no news of Simon Hervé Nko'o and Serge Sabouang since their arrest on 5 February 2010.

Cameroon

Journalist investigating corruption detained, threatened

Nadège Christelle Bowa was held for nearly two hours after interviewing a high-ranking official detained for misappropriating public funds.

Cameroon

Journalist released from prison after paying heavy fine

Jean Bosco Talla was prosecuted for "insulting" the president.

Cameroon

Newspaper publisher receives suspended prison sentence, fine

A Yaoundé court sentenced Jean-Bosco Talla to a suspended one-year prison term, three years of probation and a fine of 3 million CFA francs.

Cameroon

Newspaper publisher held for a week on charge of insulting president

Arrested on 10 December 2009, Jean-Bosco Talla was brought before a court and pleaded not guilty to a charge of insulting President Paul Biya.

Cameroon

Newspaper editor threatened over corruption coverage

RSF calls on President Paul Biya to publicly condemn a series of attempts to intimidate Jules Koum Koum, editor of "Le Jeune Observateur".

Cameroon

Cameraman attacked by police officers in courthouse

"Canal International" cameraman Freddy Nkoue was covering a trial involving leaders of opposing factions of a political party.

Cameroon

Private radio station suspended indefinitely

Privately-owned Sky One Radio "temporarily" closed for "numerous issues concerning media professionalism".

Cameroon

Journalist threatened, fears for his life

Jean Bosco Talla, publication director for the newspaper "Germinal", has received a series of death threats.

Cameroon

Two journalists sentenced to five years in prison following closed-door hearing

A military tribunal in Yaoundé sentenced Jacques Blaise Mvié and Charles René Nwe of "La Nouvelle" newspaper to five years in prison.

Cameroon

Four journalists imprisoned since September 2008 for critical reporting

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is an IFJ media release:

Cameroon

Journalist sentenced to three years imprisonment for "spreading false news"

(RSF/IFEX) - On 9 January 2009, Reporters Without Borders condemned a three-year prison sentence handed down to Lewis Medjo, managing editor of the weekly "La Détente libre", and urged the authorities to allow him bail. He has been in Douala central prison in the west of the country since 22 September 2008.

Cameroon

Songwriter sentenced to three years in prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC protests the three-year prison sentence and exorbitant fine imposed on the well known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (real name Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo) on 24 September 2008 for allegedly taking part in anti-government riots. Mbanga is known as an outspoken critic of the government, both as a songwriter and an opposition party member. The WiPC fears that the sentence is connected to his critical lyrics and, as such, is in violation of his right to freedom of expression. It calls on the Cameroonian authorities to release Mbanga immediately and unconditionally.

Cameroon

Douala-based newspaper publisher arrested and jailed

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the detention of journalist Lewis Medjo in the western city of Douala. The publisher of the Douala-based "Détente Libre" weekly, Medjo was arrested by the head of the judiciary police as he left a dinner in a Douala hotel on the evening of 22 September 2008.

Cameroon

Songwriter remains in detention; WiPC concerned for his failing health

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC protests the four-month detention of the well known singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga (real name Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo), reportedly for a song he wrote criticising controversial constitutional amendments in Cameroon. The WiPC fears that Mbanga's detention stems from his critical lyrics, and is therefore in violation of his right to freedom of expression. It is also concerned at reports that his health has deteriorated due to poor prison conditions and lack of adequate medical care. The WiPC calls on the Cameroonian authorities to substantiate the charges against Mbanga or to release him immediately and unconditionally.

Cameroon

Authorities lift ban on three private broadcasters; Magic FM's equipment held by police

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is an 8 July 2008 CPJ press release:

Cameroon

Two journalists face up to two years' imprisonment; director of radio station dismissed; several other journalists interrogated for reporting on corruption scandals

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 5 June 2008 IFJ media release:

Cameroon

Journalist assaulted, injured by soccer star; other players seize equipment to prevent journalists from covering altercation

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 2 June 2008 CPJ press release:

Cameroon

One musician arrested, another sentenced to six months' imprisonment for criticising constitutional amendments

(MFWA/IFEX) - Two renowned musicians, Lapiro de Mbanga and Joe La Conscience have been arrested and detained by the authorities in Cameroon for singing songs in which they criticised the recent controversial constitutional amendments which allow the President unlimited terms of office.

Cameroon

Newspaper publisher held incommunicado, reporters attacked as government steps up media crackdown

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns an escalation in repression of the privately-owned media with the 3 March 2008 arrest of Jacques Blaise Mvié, the publisher of the "La Nouvelle Presse" weekly, and several cases of physical violence against journalists covering a wave of street demonstrations against increases in the prices of fuel and basic staples.

Cameroon

Third broadcaster closed within a week over coverage

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 February 2008 CPJ press release:

Cameroon

Communication minister suspends privately-owned TV station

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders calls on the government to explain the suspension of Equinoxe TV, a privately-owned station based in the commercial capital of Douala, on 21 February 2008. Communication minister Emmanuel Béyiyi Bi Essam said it was being shut down for failing to pay the required bond of 100 millions CFA francs (approx. 150,000 euros) for an operating licence.

Cameroon

Two newspaper journalists freed after being held for five days

(RSF/IFEX) - Jean-Bosco Talla, the deputy editor of the privately-owned weekly "Le Front", and Hervé Kémété, a trainee journalist, were released on 15 February 2008 after being held for five days. They were arrested on 10 February in the southern town of Zoétélé while investigating property owned by several senior politicians.

Cameroon

Two journalists held incommunicado after trying to photograph homes of top politicians

(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders condemns the detention of Jean-Bosco Talla, the deputy editor of the privately-owned weekly "Le Front", and one of his reporters, Hervé Kémété. They have been held incommunicado since their arrest on 10 February 2008 in the southern town of Zoétélé, to which they had gone to photograph the property owned by several senior officials and politicians including the defense minister.

Cameroon

Publisher of weekly newspaper sentenced to jail in absentia

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 August 2007 CPJ press release:

Cameroon

Journalist attacked during opposition demonstration

(JED/IFEX) - JED is indignant and scandalised by the 23 July 2007 assault on Roland Tsapi, a journalist with the privately-owned daily "Le Messager" published in Doula, Cameroon's economic capital, by riot police who had come to quell a peaceful opposition demonstration.

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