April 13, 2019, in Balinyonga, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces reportedly abducted, tortured, burned, and killed innocent and unarmed civilians, including children, according to eyewitness accounts.

The alleged events of April 13, 2019, in Balinyonga, where Cameroon Occupation Forces reportedly abducted, tortured, burned, and killed innocent civilians, including children, constitute severe violations of international humanitarian law and are classified as War Crimes.

The Geneva Conventions, particularly Common Article 3, expressly prohibit acts of violence against persons taking no active part in hostilities, including murder, cruel treatment, and torture. By targeting unarmed civilians, the actions described represent a flagrant breach of this foundational principle of humanitarian law.

Children are afforded special protections under International Law, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which recognizes their vulnerability in conflict situations.

Article 38 of the CRC requires states to ensure that children are protected during armed conflicts, and any act of violence against them, including torture and killing, constitutes a grave violation. Burning children alongside other civilians is not only an abhorrent crime but also a direct affront to these protections, amplifying the severity of the offense.

The use of torture in this context contravenes the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Cameroon is a party. Torture, irrespective of the circumstances, is universally prohibited and considered a grave breach of International Law.

The additional act of burning civilians’ bodies constitutes desecration, exacerbating the moral and legal violations while instilling fear in the local population.

The destruction of civilian lives and property through burning further violates Article 53 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits the destruction of property belonging to civilians unless absolutely required by military necessity. In this case, the deliberate targeting of civilians and children is devoid of any lawful justification and exemplifies the egregious nature of these acts.

These violations may also amount to crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court if they form part of a widespread or systematic attack on the civilian population. Eyewitness accounts provide critical evidence that must be investigated independently and thoroughly to ensure justice and accountability. Such acts demand international scrutiny to uphold the principles of international humanitarian law and prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA AND THE WORLD IS WATCHING WITHOUT ANY COMMENT