Journalist and rights
activist Christopher Fon Achobang has been discharge by the Momo High Court in
Mbengwi,North West Region, of the case of usurpation of title filed in by the
government of Cameroon.
The government had
accused him of usurping the title of human rights defender. In her ruling
Justice Nfonsam said there was no need to brandish certificates or membership
cards to become human rights activist or defenders because they are known by
what they do for humanity.
Fon Achobang was
arrested and put on pretrial detention for a month-from 27 April to 28 May 2015
after he reportedly stood against the abuse of the rights of farmers and land
grabbing by some grazers. Two other matters (arson and destruction) against him
are still pending in the same court.
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| Chris Fon: Not giving up |
THREE OTHERS IN COURT
Three other journalists;
Baba Wame former National Radio and TV, CRTV worker, now lecturer, Rodrigue Tongue former worker with Le Messager
now Canal 2 TV, and Felix Cyriaque Ebole Bola of Mutations , are due to appear
before the military tribunal in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé on January 22 2016.
The court notified them
during the December 29 2015 hearing. The three journalists have been dragged to
court for purported knowing of a threat to state security and for not
'denouncing' or reporting same. They risk punishment under article 74 and 107
of the Penal.
The International
Federation of Journalists, FIJ, the Cameroon Journalists Trade Union, CJTU, and
other right groups have called for the case to be thrown out of court and for
the government to promote a free press.
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