REDHAC
REDHAC, the Central African Network of Human Rights Defenders (Réseau des Défenseurs des Droits de l'Homme de l'Afrique Centrale) is a coalition of human rights defenders active in eight countries in Central Africa, based in Douala, Cameroon.
REDHAC supports the work of human rights defenders with the aim to mitigate their vulnerabilities and risks, and raise awareness of the human rights situation in the region. Its vision is to promote, train and support human rights defenders, foster solidarity among them, and defend their rights when they are at risk. REDHAC investigates human rights abuses, publishes related reports, advocates with governments and other stakeholders to respect regional and international commitments on human rights and defenders as well as African and UN human rights mechanisms. REDHAC supports human rights defenders in the field and provides them and their families with protection and support. REDHAC represents over 400 members, including human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists.
REDHAC’s work is founded on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. It operates in the Republic of Chad, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Gabon, Central African Republic, and the Republic of Sao Tome & Principe.
Human rights defenders and journalists critical of the government are particularly targeted and often face harassment. Security forces have tortured, beaten, harassed, and abused citizens, journalists, detainees and human rights defenders. In the context of the government’s response to the Anglophone crisis, which began at the end of 2016, and attacks from the armed group Boko Haram in the North, excessive force has been used by security forces to police assemblies, and peaceful protesters have been subjected to arbitrary detention. Access to internet and social media was also blocked to prevent peaceful protests and authorities have banned news outlets deemed sympathetic to Anglophone protesters. In October 2018, President Paul Biya was re-elected in elections results challenged by the opposition leader, Maurice Kamto, who claimed victory. In October 2019, president Paul Biya ordered the release of several political detainees and human rights defenders following the national dialogue.
HRDs face risks both from armed groups and Cameroonian security forces. HRDs are subjected to threats, intimidation and smear campaigns for denouncing security forces abuses in response to attacks from Boko Haram. Reduced freedoms of expression have led journalists to exercise self-censorship in order to avoid repercussions for criticizing the government, especially on security matters. In early 2015, an anti-terrorism law was ratified by President Paul Biya which allows for Cameroonian citizens to be tried in military courts and to face the death penalty. It contains vague definitions of “terrorism” including disturbing the normal functioning of public services or the provision of essential services to the population, or creating a situation of crisis within the population. The law has been used as a mean to criminalise opponents of the government and HRDs leading the call to respect the human rights of citizens in Anglophone regions.
