The Institute of International Law adopted unanimously a declaration concerning the situation of its member, Mr. Maurice Kamto. The declaration reads as follows:

SESSION OF THE HAGUE – 2019

26 August 2019

DECLARATION

The Institute of International Law,

Meeting in The Hague, expresses its deep concern over the treatment to which Maurice Kamto, a member of the Institut who was expected at this session, and his co-detainees have been and still are being subjected.

The Institut recalls the previous initiatives it has taken and those of many governmental and non-governmental organisations and scholarly societies, which have also expressed their concerns. But the Institut notes with regret that, up to now, these initiatives have all been ignored. On the contrary, the situation has continued to deteriorate.

The Institut recalls that the Republic of Cameroon is a Party to many human rights conventions and has ratified in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. The Institut also notes that the Constitution of Cameroon enshrines these fundamental rights.

The Institut urges all the authorities concerned to scrupulously abide by the obligations stemming from the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon and the aforementioned treaties to which Cameroon has subscribed as a sovereign State and, above all, the principles of due process and fair trial before an independent court of law.

The Institut will continue to follow closely the developments in this matter.

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