The Government of Cameroon has reviewed its 4th Periodic Report on the promotion of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
By Ekellem Desmond
The report which presents Cameroon’s implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was reviewed during an awareness raising workshop on the recommendations of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the validation of the follow-up report on its concluding observations.
The objective of the workshop organized by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central was to provide an opportunity for participants to revisit recommendation made to Cameroon by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, provide answers to the given recommendations concerned with the follow-up report as well as enable participants review, analyze and enrich the drafts report while making amendments to address the Committees concerns as well as taking into consideration policy prerogatives enshrined in the National Development Strategy.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the workshop that took place on 09 March 2021, the Director of United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa, Louis-Marie Bouaka, congratulated government’s engagement to put a new law on the National Commission of Human Rights.
He equally lauded Cameroon’s exemplary attitude towards the ratification of international treaties on Human Rights and on the other hand the submission of reports to organs of the treaties and universal periodic reviews.
Louis-Marie Bouaka, encouraged the government to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of Rights of all Migrant workers and the members of their family and the International Convention on the Rights of Handicap persons but also finalized the process on the ratification of the Facultative protocol to the Convention against torture and other sentence or cruel treatment.
While representing the Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, Jean De Dieu Momo, Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Justice reiterated government’s attachment in promoting human rights and willingness to provide answers to the recommendation made by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
It should be noted that while Cameroon is in preparation of the 5th report expected to be ready by March 31 2024, the review of the recommendations made by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights shall lead to the validation of Cameroon’s mid-term report.
Closing the workshop on March 11 2021, Jean De Dieu Momo, Minister Delegate at the Ministry of Justice expressed satisfaction for the work done by participants.
He said he was convinced the report prepared during the workshop was more rich and reflects the inclusive approach recommended by Committee as well as guarantee the credibility of Cameroon.
