October 1, 2017, Bamenda, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces carried out abductions, torture, injuries, and killings of numerous innocent and unarmed civilians, including women.

These actions constitute grave violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and human rights law, making them prosecutable as War Crimes. The events of October 1, 2017, in Bamenda violate several key provisions of international law, as outlined in the Geneva Conventions of 1949, their Additional Protocols, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Civilians, including women and unarmed individuals, are protected under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits violence against life and person, including murder and cruel treatment, against those not taking part in hostilities. Article 48 of Additional Protocol I emphasizes the principle of distinction, requiring parties in a conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants. By targeting civilians, the Cameroon Occupation Forces blatantly violated this principle. Torture is explicitly prohibited under Article 32 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which forbids physical or mental suffering inflicted upon protected persons. Additionally, it is classified as a grave breach under Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, qualifying it as a War Crime. Torturing and injuring civilians violate the prohibition against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment as outlined in Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The forced abduction of civilians breaches Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits unlawful deportations and forcible transfers. These actions destabilize communities and increase civilian vulnerability to further harm.

The deliberate killing of innocent civilians constitutes a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and is prosecutable under Article 8(2)(c)(i) of the Rome Statute as a War Crime.

The atrocities committed in Bamenda on October 1, 2017, are a blatant disregard for IHL and human rights law. Abductions, torture, and killings are not only morally reprehensible but also violate international legal standards. These actions must be addressed through judicial mechanisms to ensure accountability, provide justice for the victims, and uphold the principles of humanity during armed conflicts.

GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA BY LRC

https://agovc.org/category/war-crime-catalog/