Cameroon: American Bar Association Center for Human Rights intends to observe the trial of detained journalist Mbombog Mbog Matip Emmanuel

The American Bar Association Center for Human Rights, through its Justice Defenders Program, intends to monitor the trial of Mbombog Mbog Matip Emmanuel, who is scheduled to appear before a military tribunal in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Monday December 13, 2021. Mr. Mbombog Mbog Matip faces several charges, including propagation of false news.

Press freedom organizations have raised concern that the criminal case against Mr. Mbombog Mbog relates to his professional work as a journalist, in particular his investigative work with regards to an attempted coup against the President of Cameroon.

Trial monitoring, which entails sending a neutral observer into court to observe trial proceedings, permits an impartial assessment of whether a trial meets regional and international standards. Cameroon is a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which guarantee the right to a fair trial.

The views expressed herein represent the opinions of the authors. They have not been reviewed or approved by the House of Delegates or the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association and, accordingly, should not be construed as representing the position of the Association or any of its entities. (ABA Policy and Procedures Handbook, Chapter 5, Part C). Further, nothing in this report should be considered as legal advice in a specific case.