Universal Periodic Review Working Group – 16th Session
Universal Periodic Review of Cameroon
1 May 2013
Australia acknowledges the progress made by Cameroon in strengthening its national human rights institution. We welcome the adoption of supplementary legislation on the establishment, organisation and functioning of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, and note that this brings the institution more closely in line with the Paris Principles.
Australia calls on Cameroon to make greater efforts to implement human rights conventions to which it is a party. We note particularly those conventions which allow non-governmental organisations to operate openly and safely. Australia recommends Cameroon takes measures to legislate into domestic law the international human rights instruments to which it is a party.
We acknowledge that there has been a moratorium on executions since 1997, but recommend that Cameroon implement a complete abolition of the death penalty, and accede to the Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Australia is concerned that Cameroon continues to prosecute individuals engaging in consensual homosexual activity. Australia recommends Cameroon urgently repeal legislation criminalising consensual homosexual activity and release from detention individuals convicted of those offences.