June 21, 2018, Ekona, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia: Cameroon Occupation Forces were caught on camera abducting, torturing, burning, and killing innocent and unarmed civilians.
These brutal actions resulted in severe injuries, loss of lives, and the destruction of homes, leaving countless individuals homeless and traumatized. Eyewitness accounts and footage provide undeniable evidence of the atrocities inflicted upon the civilian population, underscoring a blatant disregard for human rights and international humanitarian law.
This incident constitutes a war crime under international law, as the deliberate targeting of civilians, torture, and destruction of civilian property are strictly prohibited. According to Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions (1949), violence to life and person, particularly murder, torture, and inhumane treatment of civilians, is forbidden in non-international armed conflicts. The Cameroon Occupation Forces’ actions directly violate this principle by targeting defenseless civilians who are not participating in hostilities.
Additionally, Article 8(2)(c) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) classifies acts such as torture, the destruction of civilian property, and the killing of civilians as war crimes. The burning of homes and properties, which left many homeless, further violates Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions, which protects civilians and prohibits attacks on their homes, livelihoods, and infrastructure during internal armed conflicts. These principles aim to ensure the protection of individuals who are not involved in combat and maintain the dignity and humanity of all persons during conflict.
The abduction and torture of civilians, as well as their subsequent execution, demonstrate an egregious breach of international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 3), which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security of person. These actions also violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), specifically Article 7, which prohibits torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.
The atrocities committed in Ekona on June 21, 2018, highlight a systematic pattern of terror and repression that demands international accountability. Holding perpetrators responsible under international law is essential to ensure justice for the victims and prevent further violations. The international community must act to investigate and prosecute such crimes to uphold the rule of law and protect innocent civilians in conflict zones