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1, March 2017
Anglophone Crisis: North American Lawyers calls for immediate and unconditional release of Barrister Agbor Balla 0
The Professional Association of North American Lawyers has called on the Biya Francophone dominated regime to respect its obligations under international human rights law and release with immediate effect the leaders of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium. The North American group known as the Law Society of Upper Canada made public a press release dated February 24 in which the body observed that the North American lawyers were “very concerned” by the arrest of Barrister Agbor Nkongho Felix.
The release also stated that “lawyers, like other citizens, must enjoy freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular they have the right to take part in public discussion on the law, administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join local, national or international organization, or to constitute and to attend their meetings”.
While the so-called Francophone trial of the leaders of the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium detained since January 17 will enter its second hearing on March 23, the Law Society of Upper Canada says Yaoundé should “immediately and unconditionally release Felix Agbor Balla; guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Felix Agbor Balla; ensure that all proceedings against Felix Agbor Balla are carried out in full respect of his right to a fair trial in accordance with international law; put an end to all acts of harassment against Felix Agbor Balla and all other human rights lawyers and advocates in Cameroon; and to ensure respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms in all circumstances in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments “.
Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla and Dr. Fontem Neba were arrested in the Buea province of Southern Cameroons and the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium declared illegal by the Francophone regime. Both West Cameroonian leaders are tried for acts of terrorism, hostility against La Republique du Cameroun, secession, revolution, insurrection, outrage to the President of the Republic, constituted bodies and civil servants, group rebellion, civil war and propagation of false news and crimes.
By Chi Prudence Asong