July 5, 2019, Mankon, Mezam State, Northern Ambazonia, Cameroon Occupation Forces reportedly abducted, tortured, and executed innocent and unarmed civilians, including a young woman identified as Miss Carine, according to eyewitness testimonies.
The reported events of July 5, 2019, in Mankon, where Cameroon Occupation Forces allegedly abducted, tortured, and killed innocent civilians, represent a grave violation of international humanitarian law and constitute War Crimes.
The targeting of unarmed civilians, such as Miss Carine, who were not involved in hostilities, breaches Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits violence to life and person, including murder, mutilation, and cruel treatment, against individuals who are not actively participating in conflict. The deliberate and systematic nature of these actions further underscores the severe disregard for International Legal norms that govern armed conflicts.
Torture, as reported in this case, is explicitly prohibited under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Cameroon is a party.
Torture not only inflicts severe physical and psychological suffering but also violates the fundamental dignity of its victims, amounting to a heinous war crime when carried out against non-combatants.
The abduction of civilians compounds this Crime, constituting a breach of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which safeguards individuals against arbitrary detention and disappearance under any circumstances.
The killing of Miss Carine, along with other unarmed civilians, highlights a blatant violation of the principle of distinction—a foundational rule in International Humanitarian Law requiring parties to a conflict to differentiate between combatants and civilians.
Civilians are afforded the highest level of protection, and any intentional targeting of non-combatants is unequivocally illegal. Furthermore, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court identifies acts such as torture, unlawful imprisonment, and murder as constituting Crimes against humanity when part of a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population.
Eyewitness accounts from Mankon provide crucial evidence for documenting these atrocities and pursuing accountability through legal channels. Independent and impartial investigations are essential to identify perpetrators and ensure justice for the victims.
Addressing such violations is critical for deterring future abuses, restoring human rights, and upholding the principles enshrined in international humanitarian and human rights law.
GENECIDE IN AMBAZONIA