Oct 12 poll: UN warns against restriction of civic and democratic space

With just 40 days to Sunday, October 12, 2025 presidential election in Cameroon, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, denounced a climate of growing repression in Cameroon. 

The UN official warned of the consequences of a tense political climate, which could compromise the freedom of voters to express their will freely and transparently. 

"It is regrettable that a safe environment conducive to the promotion of human rights does not appear to prevail in Cameroon ," he said, calling on Yaoundé to take "urgent measures" to ensure a credible, inclusive, and peaceful election. 

“Any measure that could deprive certain sections of Cameroonian society of their rights should be given immediate attention," warned Volker Türk. 

It should be noted that on August 4, 2025, approximately 53 opposition supporters were arrested in Yaounde while peacefully protesting outside the Constitutional Council 

According to report they were accused of disturbing public order, rebellion, and incitement to revolt, they were eventually released, but the High Commissioner said the arrests should never have taken place. "No one should be arrested for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly," he insisted. 

In light of this worrying situation, the UN calls on the Cameroonian authorities to cease their repression of political actors, civil society organisations, and the media, and to guarantee the fundamental rights of all citizens. 

Volker Türk also urged the government to take measures to combat hate speech, disinformation, and calls for violence, both online and offline, with international human rights law.

The Government should not suppress the essential work of civil society organisations and the media,” the UN Human Rights Chief said. 

BY SIMON KALLA

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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk