A longstanding case involving allegations of human rights abuses against Belgian national Jan Cappelle has been referred back to the Cameroonian judiciary by the United Nations, amid calls for stronger protection of human rights defenders. The UN has urged the Government of Cameroon to take meaningful steps to prevent future reprisals against individuals who report human rights violations.
Jan Cappelle
Jan Cappelle, a Belgian human rights defender, began working with rural communities in Tudig, Donga Mantung Division in the North-West region of Cameroon, through an initiative known as Organic Farming for Gorillas (OFFGO). His engagement with victims of alleged land grabbing in Tudig and Big Babanki in Mezam Division reportedly triggered a prolonged campaign of defamation, harassment, and intimidation directed at him, his legal counsel Barrister Elvis Brown Luma Mukuna, and local traditional leaders. The Cameroonian National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms (NCHRF) acknowledged in reports from 2017 to 2019 that Cappelle had endured sustained attacks and reprisals. The Commission also condemned the harassment of Barrister Luma for defending his client.
The case later caught the attention of the United Nations. A 2020 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders documented concerns over the alleged involvement of senior officials from Cameroon’s Defence and Security forces, as well as a prominent business figure, in orchestrating the intimidation. The UN Secretary-General’s annual reports on reprisals also highlighted the use of travel restrictions, violence, and property destruction targeting Jan Cappelle and those associated with him. These reports warned that the situation warranted urgent intervention.
Barrister Elvis Brown Luma, legal aid to Jan Cappelle
Cameroonian judicial authorities were called upon to investigate the matter and to take steps to deter similar cases. Although court proceedings were eventually launched and Cappelle named as a key witness, his participation was hindered for years due to visa complications at the Cameroonian embassy in Belgium. In 2024, following diplomatic pressure from both the UN and the Belgian embassy in Yaoundé, he was finally granted an entry visa despite reports of an existing arrest warrant according to his legal aid. Jan Cappelle has since been in Bamenda, with proceedings continuing at the level of the Examining Magistrate in Mezam. Notably, police commissioners alleged to be involved are said to have appeared before the court.
The ongoing case underscores the perilous environment faced by human rights defenders in Cameroon. Rights groups such as the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) have called on the government to take firmer action to end intimidation and reprisals. Observers argue that beyond the legal processes, the government’s response to this case will serve as a broader indicator of its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
UN Human Rights Council President, Ambassador Federico Villegas Beltran, has called for a more transparent and proactive stance from all governments in addressing cases of reprisals.
“We commend your strong call on all states to prevent such acts... We encourage you and the Bureau to make public statements on serious and unresolved cases of reprisals and to address such cases systematically,” he said in a recent address.
As the case of Jan Cappelle continues with preliminary investigations, the international community is keen on the developments. The resolution of the matter is expected to have far-reaching implications for the protection of human rights defenders in Cameroon and elsewhere. The government’s willingness to hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard those speaking out against abuses will remain a critical test of its dedication to upholding international human rights standards.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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