The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights
http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/


HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Case CMR 050397

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Cameroon.

Brief description of the situation :
The International Secretariat has been informed, by a reliable source,
of the arrest of Mr Abdoulaye Math, lawyer and President of the
Movement for the Defence of Human Rights - "Mouvement pour la Défense
des Droits de l'Homme", a human rights group based in Maroua, the Far
North Province of Cameroon.

According to information received, Mr Abdoulaye Math was arrested on
27 February 1997 after he had boarded a plane for Yaoundé. He was
travelling to the United States to attend a human rights training
program. He had just returned from Garoua, where earlier this week he
had organised a conference on human rights abuses in Northern
Cameroon. Mr Abdoulaye Math was charged with fraud ("escroquerie") and
selling pharmaceutical products without a licence. He is currently
being detained in the Central Prison in Maroua, pending review of his
case.

The International Secretariat is concerned that Mr Abdoulaye Math may
have been targeted by the government on account of his active work as
a lawyer and human rights activist.

Action requested :
Please write to the Cameroonian authorities urging them to :

i.	take the appropriate measures to guarantee the physical and
psychological integrity of Mr Abdoulaye Math;

ii.	immediately release Mr Abdoulaye Math if he is being detained
without valid charge or, if such charges exist, bring him before a
competent and impartial tribunal and guarantee his procedural rights
at all times;

iii.	ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and
international standards.

Addresses :
President
Son Excellence Mr Paul Biya, Président de la République, Palais de
l'Unité, 1000 Yaoundé, République du Cameroun. Fax : + 237 221 699

Prime Minister
Mr Peter Mafany Musonge, Premier Ministre, Cabinet du Premier
Ministre, Immeuble Etoile, 1000 Yaoundé, République du Cameroun. Fax :
+ 237 235 765

Minister of Justice
Mr Laurent Esso, Ministre de la Justice, Garde des Sceaux, Ministère
de la Justice, 1000 Yaoundé, République du Cameroun. Telegrams :
Ministre, Justice, Yaounde, Cameroon

Geneva, 5 March 1997

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this
appeal in your reply.
Ben Schonveld
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph  4122 733 3140
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
         The World Organisation Against Torture

OMCT@IPROLINK.CH
http://www.omct.org/