EXCLUSIVE : KUWAIT MP’s VISIT: CAMEROONIAN GIRLS AT KUWAIT GOV’T SHELTER WRITE BIYA, MINREX… READ TWO LETTERS

As the Kuwaiti Members of Parliament, MPs continue their visit to Cameroon, some girls for the most part trapped at the Kuwaiti Government Shelter have petitioned Head of State Paul Biya and the Ministry of External Relations.

TO PRESIDENT BIYA  PAGE 1

In two separate letters, one written since November 2015, and the other in February 2016, when they expected MINREX officials to visit the government shelter, the Cameroonians girls are painting a sordid picture of their stay in Kuwait. We stumbled on both letters written in French language.

In the letter to the President of the Republic, the Cameroonian ladies said they were allegedly dubbed to travel to Kuwait for work and studies.

They ladies alleged they are 108 of them at the shelter and at immigration services; a population which they said was more than that of some African countries combined.

They said some of them are sick and with wounds after jumping off story buildings to flee from their ‘slave masters’. Some the letters said are developing mental problems resulting from the trauma they have been subjected to, for months.

TO PRESIDENT BIYA PAGE 2

The Cameroonian girls in the letter to President Biya and the Minister of External Relations are decrying alleged sexual abuses and torture while in Kuwait and pointed accusing fingers at some diplomats in the Central African Republic Embassy for extortion.

“The most crucial part is our disagreement with Mr Kalil (of the Central African Republic Embassy). 31- 41 KDs (Kuwait Dina- Kuwaiti currency - approximately 62 – 82 thousand CFA Frs) are demanded for ‘laissez passers’ which have never been issued,” partly read the letter to the Ministry of External Relations.

TO MINREX PAGE 1

When this reporter spoke to Mr. Kalil months back, he denied all the allegations arguing that he was making much sacrifices. 

“I don’t have any explanations to give. I am spending my money to help Cameroonian girls who sought refuge at our embassy. 

I would be writing the Cameroon Ambassador in Saudi Arabia, (the nearest Cameroon embassy from Kuwait) after which the Central African Republic Embassy would take a decision,” Kalil said then.

TO MINREX PAGE 2

Apart from the problem of having travel documents issued, the Cameroonian ladies are complaining that their personal documents; passports, dresses and certificates among others have been confiscated by the former employers from where they escaped.

The letters to President Biya also appealed to the government to provide those at the shelter with bathing soap, vaseline and toiletries including menstrual pads.

A source at MINREX who claimed they are aware of the existence of the existence of te letters was unable to explain what they are doing to address the issues raised.

“Let the letters be presented also to the Kuwaiti Delegation of MPs and let us hear their reaction to claims that they respect human rights,” one of the girls at the shelter said.