Commonwealth SG Condemns Ngarbuh Killings, Calls For Impartial Investigation

(Cameroon) Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, on February 18, issued a press statement, condemning the massacre of civilians in Ngarbur. She called for an impartial investigation so that the perpetrators of the act can be identified and held accountable.

In a press release, the Commonwealth Secretary-General in response to the killings noted that the attack on the village left 23 people dead, the majority of them children.

She furthered by stating that “I strongly condemn the recent killings of civilians, including women and children in the Northwest of Cameroon on 14 February 2020.

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“We noted the Government announcement that there would be a full investigation into the incident. We encourage the Government to conduct an impartial investigation, for perpetrators to be held accountable and for results to be made public.

“The Commonwealth strongly condemns all forms of violence, and in particular, the loss of lives of innocent civilians including women and children.

“Cameroon is a noted member of the Human Rights Council and as such we are minded of General Comment 13 to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to freedom from all forms of violence which is underscored by the understanding that no violence against children is justifiable, all violence against children is preventable.” On the way forward out of the crisis, the Commonwealth SG said she will continue to convey concerns to the Government of Cameroon. She also stated that the Commonwealth stands ready to support solutions that will address the root causes of this conflict that has dragged on since 2016.   

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