Two organizations, namely Mandela Center International and New Human Rights Cameroon, have taken legal action in response to allegations of torture and the subsequent death of an individual within a gendarmerie facility. According to these NGOs, the deceased man had been arbitrarily detained in a gendarmerie post, where he allegedly endured torture. A formal complaint has been lodged, and the NGOs are demanding the initiation of a thorough investigation into the matter.
The events detailed by Mandela Center International and New Human Rights Cameroon date back approximately three months. On June 1st, 2023, Olivier Ndongo Bilogo, aged 41, was apprehended and placed in custody at a gendarmerie brigade in Yaoundé. They assert that during his time at the gendarmerie post, this individual—described as an electrician and in good health at the time of his arrest—suffered various acts of torture and physical abuse.
After enduring an allegedly illegal detention lasting four days, Olivier Ndongo Bilogo was released and subsequently admitted to a hospital in Yaoundé. The medical diagnosis revealed severe trauma, which led to his demise on July 19th despite the administered treatment.
Mandela Center and New Human Rights Cameroon contend that a sworn medical professional has definitively established a causal link between the endured physical abuse and the patient’s death. This leaves them with little doubt regarding those responsible for this unfortunate outcome. In addition to identifying the gendarmes allegedly involved, these NGOs firmly assert that the Cameroonian State also bears a “clear and unambiguous” responsibility for this tragedy.
Consequently, a formal complaint has been submitted to the Court of First Instance in Yaoundé against the implicated parties, citing charges such as “torture, abuse of power, and arbitrary detention.” The NGOs also demand that Cameroonian authorities initiate a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this individual’s passing. Despite attempts to contact the Ministry of Communication and the Army’s Communication Service, there has been no response. This case underscores the imperative for a thorough and impartial inquiry to uphold justice and human rights standards.