The Protection of the Rights of Pre-trial Detainees in Cameroon. A Legal Perspective

The Protection of the Rights of Pre-trial Detainees in Cameroon. A Legal Perspective PDF Author: Sona Gerald
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3389010955
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 33

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Book Description
Academic Paper from the year 2024 in the subject Law - Public Law / Constitutional Law / Basic Rights, University of Buea, language: English, abstract: This article delves into the longstanding issue of pre-trial detention, tracing its origins back to the colonial era in Cameroon, where individuals were held in custody pending trial outcomes. It examines the extent to which pre-trial detainees' rights are safeguarded in Cameroon, revealing significant violations within the current legal framework. Notably, the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) of Cameroon falls short in adequately protecting the right to bail, leaving its discretion to the courts. Employing qualitative research methodology, the study conducts a comprehensive doctrinal analysis of conventions, statutes, and cases. Findings indicate that while Cameroon's Constitution and CPC offer certain protections, these provisions are deemed insufficient, calling for reform. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Cameroon's legal system in upholding prisoners' rights. In clarifying the term "pre-trial," the article underscores its global prevalence across Europe and Africa, encompassing diverse demographics—from first-time offenders to the mentally ill and career criminals. The history of pre-trial detention in Cameroon is rooted in colonial practices, where detainees were coerced into administrative labor. Post-World War I, there emerged heightened awareness of human dignity, catalyzing initiatives like the League of Nations' International Penal and Penitentiary Commission, which advocated for proper detainee treatment. Subsequently, the United Nations inherited this mission, emphasizing human dignity through international legal instruments, which are analyzed in the study. Three justifications for pre-trial detention are outlined: reasonable belief in the alleged perpetrator's guilt, flight risk, and potential obstruction of justice. Fundamental human rights, including liberty, are emphasized, with acknowledgment of widespread unlawful arrests, lack of legal counsel, and inhumane treatment in many countries. This article underscores the urgent need to reform Cameroon's legal framework, advocating for amendments to clarify ambiguous provisions, define undefined terms, and bolster lacking safeguards. By addressing these deficiencies, the study aims to enhance protections for pre-trial detainees and uphold fundamental rights within Cameroon's justice system.

The Protection of the Rights of Pre-trial Detainees in Cameroon. A Legal Perspective

The Protection of the Rights of Pre-trial Detainees in Cameroon. A Legal Perspective PDF Author: Sona Gerald
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3389010955
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 33

Get Book

Book Description
Academic Paper from the year 2024 in the subject Law - Public Law / Constitutional Law / Basic Rights, University of Buea, language: English, abstract: This article delves into the longstanding issue of pre-trial detention, tracing its origins back to the colonial era in Cameroon, where individuals were held in custody pending trial outcomes. It examines the extent to which pre-trial detainees' rights are safeguarded in Cameroon, revealing significant violations within the current legal framework. Notably, the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) of Cameroon falls short in adequately protecting the right to bail, leaving its discretion to the courts. Employing qualitative research methodology, the study conducts a comprehensive doctrinal analysis of conventions, statutes, and cases. Findings indicate that while Cameroon's Constitution and CPC offer certain protections, these provisions are deemed insufficient, calling for reform. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Cameroon's legal system in upholding prisoners' rights. In clarifying the term "pre-trial," the article underscores its global prevalence across Europe and Africa, encompassing diverse demographics—from first-time offenders to the mentally ill and career criminals. The history of pre-trial detention in Cameroon is rooted in colonial practices, where detainees were coerced into administrative labor. Post-World War I, there emerged heightened awareness of human dignity, catalyzing initiatives like the League of Nations' International Penal and Penitentiary Commission, which advocated for proper detainee treatment. Subsequently, the United Nations inherited this mission, emphasizing human dignity through international legal instruments, which are analyzed in the study. Three justifications for pre-trial detention are outlined: reasonable belief in the alleged perpetrator's guilt, flight risk, and potential obstruction of justice. Fundamental human rights, including liberty, are emphasized, with acknowledgment of widespread unlawful arrests, lack of legal counsel, and inhumane treatment in many countries. This article underscores the urgent need to reform Cameroon's legal framework, advocating for amendments to clarify ambiguous provisions, define undefined terms, and bolster lacking safeguards. By addressing these deficiencies, the study aims to enhance protections for pre-trial detainees and uphold fundamental rights within Cameroon's justice system.

Presumption of Guilt

Presumption of Guilt PDF Author: Martin Schönteich
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781936133840
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In India, a man spent 54 years behind bars in pretrial detention, waiting for a trial that would never happen because his file had been lost. In Nigeria, one study estimated that the average detainee waits over three years for his day in court. In Russia, pretrial detainees have begged for the chance to plead guilty, just so they can receive medical care. And in the United States, juvenile pretrial detainees have been forced to fight each other for their guards' amusement. Around the world, millions are effectively punished before they are tried. Legally entitled to be considered innocent and released pending trial, many accused are instead held in pretrial detention, where they are subjected to torture, exposed to life threatening disease, victimized by violence, and pressured for bribes. It is literally worse than being convicted: pretrial detainees routinely experience worse conditions than sentenced prisoners. The suicide rate among pretrial detainees is three times higher than among convicted prisoners, and ten times that of the outside community. Pretrial detention harms individuals, families, and communities; wastes state resources and human potential; and undermines the rule of law. The arbitrary and excessive use of pretrial detention is a massive and widely ignored pattern of human rights abuse that affects-by a conservative estimate-15 million people a year. The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty is universal, but at this moment some 3.3 million people are behind bars, waiting for a trial that may be months or even years away. No right is so broadly accepted in theory, but so commonly violated in practice. It is fair to say that the global overuse of pretrial detention is the most overlooked human rights crisis of our time. Presumption of Cuilt examines the full consequences of the global overuse of pretrial detention. Combining statistical analysis, first-person accounts, graphics, and case studies of successful reforms, the report is the first to comprehensively document this widespread but frequently ignored form of human rights abuse. Book jacket.

Amnesty International Fair Trial Manual

Amnesty International Fair Trial Manual PDF Author: Amnesty International
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780862104849
Category : Criminal procedure
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"A practical and authoritative guide to international and regional standards for fair trial. These standards set out minimum guarantees designed to protect the right to a fair trial in criminal proceedings. The Manual explains how fair trial rights have been interpreted by human rights bodies and by international courts. It covers rights before and during trial, and during appeals. It also covers special cases, including death penalty trials, cases brought against children, and fair trial rights during armed conflict"--

An Audit of Police Oversight in Africa

An Audit of Police Oversight in Africa PDF Author: African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum
Publisher: African Minds
ISBN: 1920299173
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 129

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Book Description
"African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum."

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention PDF Author: Jared Genser
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107034450
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 655

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Book Description
This book is a practical guide to freeing political prisoners and provides a comprehensive review of this UN body's 1,200 jurisprudence cases.

A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management

A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management PDF Author: Andrew Coyle
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780954544423
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Book Description


The African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples' Rights in Context

The African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples' Rights in Context PDF Author: Charles C. Jalloh
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 110842273X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1199

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Book Description
This volume analyses the prospects and challenges of the African Court of Justice and Human and Peoples' Rights in context. The book is for all readers interested in African institutions and contemporary global challenges of peace, security, human rights, and international law. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

World Report 2019

World Report 2019 PDF Author: Human Rights Watch
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
ISBN: 1609808851
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 957

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Book Description
The best country-by-country assessment of human rights. The human rights records of more than ninety countries and territories are put into perspective in Human Rights Watch's signature yearly report. Reflecting extensive investigative work undertaken by Human Rights Watch staff, in close partnership with domestic human rights activists, the annual World Report is an invaluable resource for journalists, diplomats, and citizens, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the fight to protect human rights in every corner of the globe.

Behind Bars in Brazil

Behind Bars in Brazil PDF Author: Joanne Mariner
Publisher: Human Rights Watch
ISBN: 9781564321954
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
Access to the Press

World Report 2018

World Report 2018 PDF Author: Human Rights Watch
Publisher: Seven Stories Press
ISBN: 1609808150
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 704

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Book Description
The human rights records of more than ninety countries and territories are put into perspective in Human Rights Watch's signature yearly report. Reflecting extensive investigative work undertaken in 2016 by Human Rights Watch staff, in close partnership with domestic human rights activists, the annual World Report is an invaluable resource for journalists, diplomats, and citizens, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the fight to protect human rights in every corner of the globe.