Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

Une concertation s’est tenue le Mardi 13 Août 2024 à Yaoundé, dans le but d’apaiser les tensions entre les artistes et leaders des sociétés des droits d’auteurs et droits voisins. L’arbitrage du Président du Conseil d’Administration de la CRTV était vivement attendu à l’issue de la réunion de crise qu’il a présidé le 13 Août 2024 à la salle auditorium du Ministère de la Communication. La pomme de discorde porte sur la répartition de 850 millions de Francs CFA au titre des redevances des droits d’auteurs et droits voisins destinées aux artistes du Cameroun.  L’esplanade du Ministère de la Communication (MINCOM) a été envahie ce mardi matin par une importante frange de la communauté artistique et culturelle camerounaise, qui tenait par tous les moyens à rencontrer l’ordinaire des lieux, René Emmanuel SADI, en sa qualité de PCA de la CRTV. Au regard du nombre d’artistes présents sur les lieux (environ 300 personnes mobilisées dont certains visiblement excités), un imposant cordon sécuritaire a été mis en place sur les lieux afin d’encadrer et de contenir tout débordement. Le Ministre arrive à son bureau comme à son accoutumée peu avant 10 heures et trouve une situation quelque peu confuse : des artistes venus en très grand nombre, cherchent à le rencontrer coûte que coûte au sujet de la répartition de 850 millions de Francs CFA au titre des redevances des droits d’auteurs et droits voisins. D’ailleurs, ils le lui font savoir sans façon. Ayant pris le pouls de la situation avec certains proches collaborateurs, le Ministre de la Communication et Porte-Parole du Gouvernement consent à tenir une séance de travail avec tout le monde sur le point sus évoqué. Cette information permet d’apaiser certains esprits.  Epreuve de nerfs C’est une salle auditorium du MINCOM noire de monde qui sert de cadre aux échanges entre le Ministre de la Communication entouré du Directeur Général de la Cameroon Radio & Télévision (CRTV) et de proches collaborateurs et les artistes sous la houlette de M. ATEH BAZOR, ci-devant PCA de la Société Nationale Camerounaise de l’Art Musical (SONACAM). A ses côtés, des vedettes de la musique camerounaise dont Georges DIKSON, Beko SADE, ABANDA KIS KIS, Marthe ZAMBO, Jojo MUSENGA ; des icônes de l’art dramatique, de la photographie, de la littérature, etc. Ils entonnent à la perfection l’hymne national avant de passer au vif du sujet. Le Ministre de la Communication, par ailleurs PCA de la CRTV, éprouve beaucoup de difficultés à tempérer les ardeurs, chacun voulant à tout prix prendre la parole. En fin psychologue, René Emmanuel SADI prendra finalement le dessus et réussira à imposer le calme et la discipline dans la salle. Il plante le décor dans son mot introductif, indiquant que M. Charles NDONGO est bel et bien en possession des 850 millions de francs CFA dus par la CRTV. Mais à qui payer cet argent ? Cette question divise les artistes qui ont formé deux camps. D’un côté, les Organismes de Gestion Collective (OGC) des droits d’auteurs et des droits voisins sous la houlette de la SONACAM d’ATEH BAZOR qui regroupe près de 7500 artistes, en intelligence avec la CMC, la SOCILADRA, la SCAAP, et la SOCADAP, exigent que les 850 millions soient virés dans le compte de dépôt spécial à la Cameroon Corporation Bank (CBC), tel qu’a instruit le Ministre d’Etat, Secrétaire Général de la Présidence de la République dans sa lettre du 26 février 2024 adressée au Directeur Général de la CRTV. Toutes les prises de paroles de ce camp convergent dans ce sens. Souci d’équité Dans un souci de clarté et surtout d’équité, le MINCOM dit avoir déjà demandé à ce premier camp de lui faire parvenir une liste de 10 responsables pour des discussions sur l’affectation des 850 millions. Sans succès. Quelques responsables de l’autre faction en dissidence sont également présents ce jour à la Salle Auditorium du MINCOM. Le Ministre passe la parole à tour de rôle à AMAH Pierrot, EYENGA MBARGA du Mouvement Mbolé et consorts. Ils veulent quant à eux que l’argent soit plutôt viré dans le compte de l’ORSAR, tel que mentionné dans le Protocole d’Accord qui lie les OGC concernées. Les principaux ténors de ce camp sont absents : Sam MBENDE, Ben et Grâce DECCA, Toto Guillaume, etc. Verdict imminent En bon père de famille, le Ministre SADI écoute attentivement toutes les parties qui s’étripent pendant 2 h 40 mn ; il prend des notes et dit observer dans quel sens évolue la voix de la majorité. Ce faisant, il recadre certains dans leur prise de parole, joue les arbitres et tempère les plus fougueux. Il lui est même arrivé de frapper du poing sur la table pour réprimer des propos injurieux. Le Ministre dit avoir pris conscience de la nécessité de régler ce différend au mieux des intérêts des artistes. Les redevances des droits d’auteur et droits voisins constituent une source essentielle de revenus pour de nombreux créateurs au Cameroun, et leur versement dans les délais impartis est crucial pour soutenir la créativité et l’industrie culturelle du pays et accompagner le quotidien de la communauté artistique et culturelle nationale. Pour finir, il demande à chaque camp de constituer une liste de dix responsables avec lesquels il va tenir une réunion dans les tout prochains jours, afin de trouver une solution définitive à cette situation qui n’a que trop duré  Communication du MINCOM

C’est une action qui entre dans les multiples campagnes de sensibilisation et de plaidoyers mise sur pieds par ce réseau de 34 organisations communautaires. Au Cameroun, la Plateforme Unity, réseau de 34 organisations à base communautaires qui militent pour les Droits Humains poursuit ses campagnes de sensibilisation et de plaidoyers à travers le triangle national. Ces campagnes qui s’inscrivent dans le cadre du projet dénommé : “TOGETHER”, ont pour objectif de promouvoir l’inclusion sociale et de lutter contre la discrimination et la stigmatisation, des fléaux sociaux qui minent notre société. A travers ce spot en anglais et français, la Plateforme Unity plaide pour une approche à la compréhension des choix de vie et d’orientation de chaque être Humain. Les êtres humains sont tous les mêmes et jouissent des mêmes droits quel que soit leur orientation sexuelle. Le projet dénommé : « TOGETHER » qui est à sa deuxième année d’implémentation souhaite apporter sa contribution à l’édification d’une société où les inégalités, l’intolérance, la discrimination et la stigmatisation ne feront plus autant de victimes.   ECOUTEZ LE SPOT AUDIO EN ANGLAIS ET FRANÇAIS

C’est à la faveur d’un atelier régional que sont réunis à Douala du 12 au 14 Août 2024, plus d’une vingtaine d’hommes et femmes de médias de l’Afrique Centrale. La ville de Douala, capitale économique du Cameroun abrite du 12 au 14 Août 2024, un atelier régional qui réunit plus d’une vingtaine d’hommes et femmes des médias venus de l’Angola, du Burundi, du Congo, de la République Démocratique du Congo, du Gabon, de la Guinée Equatoriale, du Tchad, du Rwanda, de la République Centrafricaine, du Sao Tome et Principe et du pays hôte. Cette rencontre initiée par le Bureau régional des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique Centrale(UNOCA), le Centre des Nations Unies pour les droits de l’Homme et la Démocratie en Afrique Centrale(CNUDHD-AC) et l’UNESCO, Bureau Afrique Centrale, se tient sous le thème : « Hommes et Femmes dans les médias : Egalités et responsabilité pour une presse qui promeut la paix et la démocratie en Afrique Centrale ». L’objectif principal de cet atelier régional est de transformer et d’enrichir les relations professionnelles entre hommes et femmes dans le secteur des médias, tout en visant à valoriser les compétences féminines et les encourager. Tel qu’indiqué, les défis dans les médias concernant la représentation des femmes sont nombreux. Et depuis la publication de la Déclaration Universelle des droits de l’homme, la quête d’une représentation équitable des femmes et des hommes dans les médias reste un enjeu majeur. Selon le Global Media Monitoring Project, il faudrait 67 ans pour combler l’écart entre les hommes et femmes dans les médias traditionnels. Seulement 24% des personnes présentées comme des experts dans les nouvelles sont des femmes, et 30% des femmes se spécialisent dans les domaines comme la science et la santé. Afin d’atteindre une pleine égalité des droits et des chances entre les hommes et les femmes, des efforts continus et collectifs sont nécessaires. D’où cette rencontre qui réunit des femmes et hommes de médias qui nourrissent ensemble des réflexions sur comment réduire les inégalités, tel que prôné par l’Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU). La Déclaration et le Programme d’action de Beijing de 1995, les Objectifs de Développement Durable (ODD) à l’horizon 2030 et la Convention sur l’élimination de toutes les formes de discrimination a l’égard des femmes sont là quelques boussoles mises sur la sellette au cours de ces travaux qui permettront d’examiner et de renforcer la collaboration entre les acteurs des médias, et de promouvoir une représentation équitable des sexes dans les entreprises de presse de la sous-région. La rencontre de Douala se veut être un espace d’échanges, qui permet de remettre sur la table certaines questions importantes et de trouver des pistes de solutions qui seront des outils stratégiques, et aideront les femmes de médias plus visibles sur la scène, d’être représentées notamment à des véritables postes de responsabilité et de lutter contre le harcèlement sexuel, les abus et bien d’autres fléaux qui sont souvent observés dans les entreprises de médias en Afrique. Elise Kenimbeni

At the end of his official visit to Cameroon, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk granted a press conference on Wednesday, 7th of August 2024. Volker Türk, United Nations Human Rights Chief, declared on August 7, 2024, after concluding a three-day working visit in Cameroon. The Patron of Human Rights in the United Nations had a tight working agenda from the 5th to the 7th of August 2024, audiences with top government officials and a conference at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon marked that. He praised the warm welcome offered to him by officials who openly shared with him a wide range of issues linked to human rights. As a country where Mr. Volker Türk has a strong connection and engaged personally on the field for several years, he felt at ease to come back for an official visit as he described. In his declaration, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk said: “Cameroon today faces multiple complex human rights challenges – but also opportunities, particularly given its extremely youthful population, with more than 40 percent of Cameroonians under the age of 14, as well as a vibrant civil society. Globally, young people are influencing action on issues of national and international importance, prompting social change – climate change, equality, accountability, and more. The electoral process in Cameroon, leading up to the 2025 and 2026 elections, is a key opportunity to reinforce political inclusiveness and facilitate the participation of all segments of society, including young people, women, populations in conflict-affected areas, displaced people, and people with disabilities, to ensure the free expression of political opinions. To make sure the space is protected for robust discussion and debate on how to tackle the challenges together, as a country.” He went further to outline some difficult challenges that need to be addressed by government officials, such as the three simultaneous security crises that have been plaguing different parts of Cameroon. Volker Turk mentioned the Far-North region that is persistently under the threats of Boko Haram terrorists; and the North-West and South-West regions that are at the heart of a crisis that sparked since 2016. He pointed out: “The situation in the North-West and South-West regions, with ongoing serious human rights abuses and violations against the civilian population; the impact of the attacks by Boko Haram-affiliated and splinter groups in the Far North region; and the spillover effects of the crisis in the Central African Republic in the East. Cameroon is also located in a region strongly affected by the climate crisis, particularly in the Far North region. As we see in many parts of the world today, drought, erratic rainfall, and increasing desertification in the Lake Chad Basin have triggered tensions and violence, sometimes between herder and farmer communities. Cameroon is an important refugee-hosting country. As of June this year, around 1 million people were also internally displaced in Cameroon, and a total of 3.4 million needed humanitarian assistance, out of a population of 27 million.”   UN Human Rights Chief expressed his worry as the current crisis in the affected regions of Cameroon not only leads to unlawful killings, human rights abuse, and violations but also affects the education of over 700.000 children who are denied the right to go to school. “In the North-West and South-West regions, what began as peaceful protests in 2016 has turned into a major crisis for the civilian population, with clashes between separatist groups, other armed groups, and security forces, including the military, leaving thousands killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and the denial of the right to education to more than 700,000 children. Reports continue to emerge of human rights violations and abuses, including unlawful killings, ill-treatment and torture, kidnappings for ransom, and restrictions on freedom of movement. The imposition of “lockdown Mondays” by separatist groups, preventing children from going to school, and people from accessing their livelihoods, at the risk of being shot – this is unacceptable and should be roundly condemned. No stone should be left unturned in efforts to silence the guns and bring this untenable crisis to an end – through dialogue with those who have grievances and demands, through accountability for the perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, and reconciliation measures, including an evaluation of existing Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) processes for certain members of armed groups.”  He added. The occasion was also well seized to unveil to media practitioners some recommendations of his fruitful working sessions with government officials. Volker Turk called on the government to facilitate humanitarian access to areas affected by conflict and urged the government to revise the 2014 anti-terrorism law in this regard. Moreover, he proposed to authorities an assessment mission by UN Human Rights teams in order to diagnose once again the situation on the ground. “My Office is ready to provide advice and assistance. I have asked the authorities to facilitate an assessment mission by a team of UN human rights officers to the North-West and South-West regions to assess progress following the recommendations of our report in 2019 and conduct further evaluation of the situation. In my meetings with civil society, we discussed serious concerns over restrictions on the freedom of expression and association the right to peaceful assembly, and the need to ensure better protection of human rights defenders. 3 The period leading up to elections is always a particularly sensitive one. I called on political parties, across the spectrum, to commit publicly to the human rights cause, notably to ensure the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly will be defended in the context of the 2025 and 2026 elections. Civil society organizations and journalists need to be able to carry out essential monitoring and reporting in the pre-electoral context, alongside the “Commission des Droits de l’Homme du Cameroun (CDHC)”, including countering hate speech and disinformation – without intimidation or fear of reprisal. Action on emblematic legal proceedings would help send clear messages against impunity and serve to prevent

The Platform UNITY has launched series of sensitizations and campaigns that aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities(SGM) within the framework of one of their flagship project dubbed: “TOGETHER”. These campaigns of the project TOGETHER are out to highlight the need for the respect of Human Rights, and to show how all Human Beings are equal despite their sex, age, race, sexual orientation and diversity. These campaign messages are in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which calls for equality amongst human beings as stated for instance in Articles 1 and 2. Article 1 All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Article 2 Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing, or under any other limitation of sovereignty. The Platform UNITY, abbreviated as PFU is a network of 34 organizations promoting and protecting the rights of Sexual and Gender Minorities in Cameroon. It was created on the 21st of October 2016 with the motto: Liberty, Equality, Harmony. Listen to the audio spot below, in English and French.

According to a press release from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Mr. Volker Türk is expected in Cameroon for a three-day working visit. GENEVA (2 August 2024) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk conducts an official mission to Cameroon from the 5th to the 7th of August. During his visit, Türk is scheduled to meet senior Government officials, including the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, and Prime Minister, Head of Government, Joseph Dion Ngute, as well as members of a wide range of political parties, officials of the Cameroon Human Rights Commission, representatives of civil society organizations, members of the diplomatic corps, and UN entities. The Human Rights Chief will also inaugurate new premises for the Central Africa Regional Office (OHCHR-CARO) in the capital Yaoundé. The Office covers Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, and São Tomé and Príncipe. This is the first visit by High Commissioner Türk to Cameroon. Turk’s predecessor visited the country in May 2019. A press conference will be held on Wednesday, 7 August in Yaoundé. Timesnews2.info  

Social Affairs Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene officially launched on Friday, 26th July 2024, the 30th edition of the International Day of Indigenous People in Yaounde.  On Friday, July 27, 2024, in Yaounde, Cameroon’s nation capital, the Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) in partnership with local and international organizations launched the 30th edition of the International Day of Indigenous People. Ahead of the celebration of this year’s edition of the International Day of Indigenous People which takes place every 9th of August, government officials, and leaders of international and civil society organizations agreed to fully integrate indigenous people in activities that will alleviate their living conditions. During the presentation of stakes and challenges of this celebration, Georges Edmond Makita, Director in charge of national Solidarity and Social Development said despite the vast programmes that have been set in motion by the government through the Ministry of Social Affairs, there are many incentives which could put in place by some organizations. He said projects that are often carried out by organizations have to take into account aspects of safeguarding and the environment. Mr. Makita Georges Edmond underscored the need to examine some social programmes at the level of community-based organizations, so as to fit in social aspects that will positively impact the lives of Indigenous persons. As mentioned in his presentation, the Director in charge of national solidarity and social development outlined the fact that, transformative projects are crucial in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and which could only be attained if some policies are fully implemented in the field. Also, during the launch, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of the key international organizations that collaborate with MINAS for the well-being of Indigenous people, was given the floor to highlight some of its major activities that incorporate Indigenous groups like the Baka and Bagyeli in the East region. According to WWF’s representative, a series of projects to help empower indigenous communities to participate in important management processes such as revenues from lands and agro-pastoral activities are undertaken in some regions of the country. To officially launch the International Day of Indigenous People’s two-weeklong activities, the Head of MINAS in Cameroon, Madam Nguene Pauline Irene said this 30th edition is placed under the theme: “Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact”. The theme of this 30th edition as outlined is a critical understanding of the pivotal role that indigenous people play in our societies. As indicated, Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation and initial contact are the best protectors of the forest. Where their collective rights to lands and territories are protected, the forests thrive, alongside their societies. And not only is their survival crucial to the protection of our planet, but it is also crucial to the protection of cultural and linguistic diversity. Pauline Irene Nguene went further to note that this year’s celebration of the International Day of Indigenous People comes in a particular context as Cameroon is about to hold inclusive and peaceful elections, which calls for a massive mobilization of the population without discrimination. The timely celebration is also a moment to call for all Indigenous people to massively register on voters’ lists ahead of the presidential elections. Minister Pauline Irene Nguene said: “In his general orientation speech at the beginning of 2023, the Head of State prescribed the continued implementation of policies for the social inclusion of vulnerable society groups. In line with this, the Ministry of Social Affairs has made the inclusion of groups with specific vulnerabilities a priority orientation for all its major activities, in this case, the celebration of days dedicated to them. Again, beyond the permanent advocacy and sectoral actions undertaken by the various stakeholders, citizenship education for Indigenous Peoples would genuinely enable them to exercise their right to participate in public life in several areas, and bring about the desired changes for their social inclusion: for these communities, it is a question of ensuring their participation in social and economic life, their involvement in political life, in a nutshell, their participation in sustainable development. It is the exercise of this right to participation that would guarantee the feeling of belonging to the national community, and therefore the social inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and communities.” Another issue highlighted by Minister Nguene Pauline Irene in her keynote address is that of engaging Indigenous people in all decision-making processes; their active participation in citizenship for sustainable development and most importantly the respect for their rights. Elise Kenimbeni