Cameroonian lawyers concluded a three-day strike on Friday March 7, 2025 during which they suspended wearing their robes to protest violence by law enforcement officers.
The strike was led by the Cameroon Bar Council, headed by Bar President, Batonnier Mbah Eric Mbah.
The International Bar Association Conference (CIB), which brings together more than 70 Bar Associations from French-speaking countries, has expressed its support for the lawyers' cause in a statement.
“The CIB once again deplores the serious violations of the physical and moral integrity of lawyers in the Republic of Cameroon, which constitute infringements on the sacred rights of the defense," the statement read.
The association's leaders are also demanding legal action against those responsible for acts of violence against Cameroonian lawyers.
The CIB cited, among others, the "brutal" arrest of Amungwa Tanyi Nicodemus by gendarmes in 2020, the case of Richard Tamfu, "tortured in broad daylight while performing his duties" last November, and a recent video showing a lawyer being assaulted by police officers.
It was this video that prompted the Bar Council to call on Cameroonian lawyers to boycott courts and tribunals this week.
The CIB also called on Cameroonian authorities, including the President of the Republic, to ensure lawyers' rights are respected. Prior to the CIB's appeal, the National Gendarmerie and the Cameroon Bar Association had already agreed to strengthen their collaboration.
On December 3, Galax Etoga, Secretary of State for Defense (SED) in charge of the National Gendarmerie, met with Bar President Mbah Eric Mbah.
Following the meeting, the two agreed to establish a permanent dialogue framework to improve relations between gendarmes and lawyers.
BY KNews plus additional report
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