In a bid to condemn and defend their rights, Cameroonian Lawyers have launched a three days court boycott over police brutality, demanding accountability and systemic change.
The scales of justice in Cameroon have been deliberately stilled, at least for the next three days, as lawyers across the nation initiate a court boycott, commencing March 5, 2025. This dramatic action is a direct response to what the Cameroon Bar Council describes as an escalating pattern of police brutality and harassment targeting legal professionals. The Council argues that these actions undermine the very foundation of the rule of law and are intended to deter lawyers from effectively representing their clients. The move highlights deep-seated concerns about the safety and independence of lawyers in Cameroon, particularly those involved in human rights cases and those challenging state authority. The decision to boycott court appearances and suspend the wearing of lawyers’ robes a powerful symbol of the profession’s authority and integrity was announced on March 4th. In his statement, the Bar Council condemned the « recurrent acts of violence » against lawyers, arguing that such actions erode « the exercise of the legal profession, the image, integrity, and sanctity of the legal profession. »
The Council has vowed to pursue legal action against those responsible for the abuses, signalling a commitment to seeking justice and accountability. The immediate trigger for the boycott was the alleged brutal assault of Douala-based advocate, Barrister Ngawou Gilbert; on March 1st. widely circulated videos purportedly show police officers inflicting violence and “degrading and inhumane acts” against the lawyer and other civilians. Just a day prior, another lawyer was reportedly unlawfully detained and coerced into retracting a statement denouncing the violation of his client’s rights. The rapid succession of these incidents forced the Bar Council to take immediate action. However, the Council’s decision is not merely a knee-jerk reaction to isolated incidents. It represents the culmination of long-standing concerns about the safety and security of legal professionals in Cameroon. International organizations, including Human Rights Watch, HRW, have documented a troubling pattern of abuse. In a December 2024 statement, Human Rights Watch highlighted instances of arbitrary arrest, harassment, and police brutality, including verbal and physical assault, targeting lawyers.
The organization argued that these attacks are often intended to deter lawyers from taking on sensitive cases, particularly those involving human rights violations, corruption, or abuse of power. The Human Rights Watch statement highlighted the case of Barrister Tamfu Richard, a well-known human rights lawyer, who was brutally beaten by gendarmes in Douala on November 27th, 2024, simply for defending his client against what he believed was an unlawful arrest. This incident, along with similar abuses suffered by lawyers like Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus, who defends victims of the Anglophone Crisis, and Barrister Atoh Walter M. Tchemi, illustrates the dangers faced by legal professionals who challenge the status quo. The Bar Council emphasizes that the suspension of the wearing of robes until the end of the boycott serves as a powerful message to the government and the public about the critical role lawyers play in upholding justice and defending human rights. While the suspension of the wearing of robes shall cease after the aforementioned period, without need for any further formalities, the lawyers are calling for concrete reforms to protect legal professionals.
This includes an end to impunity for perpetrators of violence against lawyers, a commitment from the government to ensure their safety and independence, and systemic changes within the security forces to prevent future abuses. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether this dramatic action will lead to meaningful reforms and a renewed commitment to the rule of law in Cameroon. More than just seeking justice for the recent incidents, lawyers are demanding fundamental changes.
