August 14, 2019, in Muea, Fako State, Southern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces reportedly carried out a mass abduction, subjecting innocent and unarmed civilians, including children, to torture and execution in a shocking act of violence.
The reported mass abduction, torture, and killing of unarmed civilians, including children, on August 14, 2019, in Muea, Fako State, constitutes a flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law.
Such acts breach Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which explicitly prohibits violence to life and person, including murder, mutilation, and cruel treatment, against individuals not taking part in hostilities.
The deliberate targeting of children further amplifies the gravity of these Crimes, as they violate the additional protections afforded to minors under international law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Torture is categorically prohibited under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The systematic use of torture against individuals who posed no threat constitutes a grave breach of both international and customary Humanitarian Law.
Additionally, the abduction of civilians amounts to a form of enforced disappearance, which is a crime under International Human Rights Law and is recognized as a severe human rights violation by the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
The inclusion of children among the victims further contravenes the Optional Protocol to the CRC on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, which obligates states to take all feasible measures to ensure that children are protected during hostilities.
Schools, homes, or communities where children reside are deemed civilian objects and are entitled to special protection under International Law. The actions of the Cameroon Occupation Forces demonstrate a blatant disregard for these protections, effectively undermining fundamental principles of humanity and the laws of armed conflict.
These atrocities represent not only War Crimes but potentially Crimes against Humanity due to their widespread and systematic nature, targeting innocent civilians as part of a deliberate campaign. Eyewitness accounts are vital in documenting the events and pursuing accountability through international or domestic judicial mechanisms.
The need for independent investigations and justice is paramount to prevent the recurrence of such violations, uphold the dignity of victims, and reinforce global adherence to international humanitarian norms.
GENOCIDE IN AMBAZONIA