HRW Condemns Gendarme Assault on Cameroonian Lawyer Richard Tamfu

HRW called on Cameroonian authorities to stop targeting lawyers and to ensure that the ongoing investigation into the incident is “credible, thorough, and impartial.” The organization further demanded that those responsible for the assault be held accountable.

A Pattern of Police Violence Against Lawyers

The case of Richard Tamfu is not isolated. HRW highlighted several past incidents of police aggression against legal professionals in Cameroon, including:

• The assault on Me Atoh Walter M. Tchemeni in December 2023 in Kumba while he was assisting a client.
• The arrest of Me Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus in May 2021 in Yaoundé, where he was accused of inciting terrorism for possessing evidence of human rights abuses in the North-West and South-West regions.
• The use of tear gas to disperse lawyers during a courtroom protest in Douala.

These incidents, according to HRW, reflect a troubling trend of hostility towards lawyers, undermining their role as defenders of justice and human rights.

Legal Action and Investigations

In the wake of the attack, Richard Tamfu has filed a formal complaint against the Commander of the Littoral Gendarmerie Legion, accusing him of complicity in torture. Public attention is now focused on the outcome of the investigation ordered by State Secretary for Defense, Galax Etoga.

HRW emphasized the importance of ensuring accountability in this case, noting that failure to act would embolden further violations and diminish trust in Cameroon’s justice system.

HRW’s Demands to Cameroonian Authorities

HRW has outlined clear demands to the Cameroonian government, including:

1. Immediate accountability: Ensure that all individuals responsible for the assault on Tamfu face legal consequences.
2. Protection of legal professionals: Stop targeting lawyers and respect their role in upholding justice.
3. Transparent investigations: Provide detailed and impartial findings from the ongoing inquiries into the incident.

A Call for Justice

The assault on Me Tamfu and other lawyers raises critical concerns about the protection of fundamental human rights in Cameroon. HRW's intervention underscores the urgency of addressing systemic issues within the country’s security forces and ensuring that lawyers can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or violence.

For now, the Cameroonian public and the international community are awaiting the results of the investigation, hoping it will mark a step toward accountability and respect for the rule of law.