December 28, 2016, in Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, the University of Buea students, motivated by a profound desire for justice and meaningful change, organized peaceful protests to voice their grievances and demand reforms from the governing authorities.

These demonstrations, marked by their non-violent nature and unwavering commitment to democratic principles, symbolized the collective hopes of the student body. Their aim was clear: to uphold democracy, promote accountability, and secure a better future for their community.

The students, many of them young and idealistic, embodied the aspirations of a generation yearning for freedom and equality, hoping their peaceful actions would inspire change and dialogue.

Tragically, their peaceful intentions were met with ruthless aggression. The Cameroon Occupation Forces, wielding their authority with impunity, stormed the streets of Buea, unleashing violence upon the unarmed students.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes of students, including young women, being subjected to cruel and degrading treatment. Reports detail how female students were tortured, enduring humiliating beatings on their buttocks—a barbaric and deliberate attempt to instill fear and shame.

The forces’ actions betrayed a sinister agenda, prioritizing suppression over dialogue and employing brutality to silence dissent. The streets of Buea became a battleground, not of ideas or peaceful protest, but of power and oppression, leaving the students and their community reeling from the violence inflicted upon them.

The violent suppression of peaceful protests, including the torture of students, constitutes a grave violation of international law and is considered a War Crime.

Under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, acts of violence against persons taking no active part in hostilities, including torture and cruel treatment, are explicitly prohibited. Additionally, the targeting of peaceful demonstrators violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

The deliberate and degrading treatment of female students, particularly targeting their bodies in humiliating ways, breaches the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which Cameroon is obligated to uphold. This event underscores a broader pattern of state-sponsored violence and suppression, warranting international scrutiny and accountability to ensure justice for the victims and to protect fundamental human rights.

GENOCIDE