- From Amnesty International USA
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa10911.pdf
12 April 2011
UA 109/11 Prisoner of Conscience/Health Concern
CAMEROON Bernard Zepherin Teyou (m)
Bernard Zepherin Teyou is a Cameroonian writer, held as a prisoner of conscience for writing a book about the President's wife. His health is significantly deteriorating because of poor prison conditions in New Bell Prison, in Douala, Cameroon's economic capital.
Bertrand Zepherin Teyou was arrested in Douala on 3 November 2010 while trying to launch a book he wrote about Chantal Biya, the wife of President Paul Biya. Bertrand Zepherin Teyou had hired a room at the Somatel Hotel for the signing of his book, La Belle de la République bananière: Chantal Biya, de la rue au palais (The Banana Republic's Beauty: Chantal Biya, from the street to the palace). The book is about Chantal Biya's humble origins and her ascendancy to Cameroon's First Lady. Just before the book was about to be launched in the presence of journalists, the hotel management refused to let him use the venue he had hired. Members of the security forces arrived soon after and arrested him. After his arrest, he was detained at a police station in Douala and subsequently charged with contempt of a personality (outrage à personnalité) and unlawful assembly (manifestation illégale). He was transferred to Douala's
On 10 November 2010, Bertrand Zepherin Teyou was tried by the High Court (Tribunal de première instance) in Douala, which found him guilty of the charges. The court sentenced him to a fine of 2,030,150 million CFA francs (approximately 4,425 US dollars) or two years' imprisonment if he was unable to pay the fine. Unable to pay the fine, he remains in New Bell prison. He is said to suffer from heavy bleeding caused by acute haemorrhoids, reportedly exacerbated by poor prison diet. Overcrowding is a problem in Cameroonian prisons and the food is known to be of poor quality and inadequate.
According to Articles 152 to 156 of the Cameroonian Penal code, the offense of contempt is only applicable to senior government and legislative officials, as well as foreign dignitaries. It does not mention their spouses or members of their families. Furthermore, Bertrand Teyou was not sued by the First Lady, nor was she a witness in the case after he was arrested, detained and during his trial. As for the charge of unlawful assembly, Bertrand Teyou had informed the Cameroonian authorities, as required by law, of his intention for the launch of his book.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Bertrand Zepherin Teyou went on a hunger strike on 15 February 2011 to protest against 'the lack of respect for his fundamental rights' and poor diet. At the insistence of his family worried about his health, he stopped the hunger strike. According to Bertrand Zepherin Teyou, he has received medical treatment outside of the prison but only if and when he can pay for it.
When Amnesty International delegates visited Cameroon in August 2010, prisons and other detention centers were overcrowded and conditions were often life-threatening. Medical care and food were often not provided or were inadequate. Disturbances and escape attempts were frequent, and several prisoners were killed during escape attempts. Prison guards were poorly trained, ill-equipped and their numbers inadequate for a large prison population.
Douala (New Bell) prison, with an official capacity of 700, held more than 2,453 inmates in August 2010. Many of its inmates were in pre-trial detention and were held together with convicted prisoners. Some prisoners were held in leg irons.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Bertrand Teyou;
- Noting that Amnesty International believes him to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association;
- Urging the authorities to ensure that he is provided with the medical treatment and food he requires for his medical condition.
APPEALS TO:
President of the Republic
His Excellency Paul Biya
Office of the President
P. O. Box 1000
Yaoundé
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Salutation: Your Excellency
Vice-Prime Minister
Mr. Amadou Ali
Minister of Justice, Keeper
of the Seals
Ministry of Justice
Yaounde
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Salutation: Dear Vice-Prime Minister
COPIES TO:
Minister of Communications
Mr Issa Tchiroma Bakary
Ministry of Communications
Yaoundé
REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON
Ambassador Joseph B. C. Foe Atangana
Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon
1700 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: 202 265 8790
Fax: 1 202 387 3826
E-mail: mail@cameroonembassyusa.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 24 May 2011.
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