USA Africa Dialogue Series - Fwd: [aicafran] Cameroon Urgent Action: Prisoner of Conscience/Health Concern [1 Attachment]

Amnesty urgent action concerning Bernard Teyou, writer

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Subject:	[aicafran] Cameroon Urgent Action: Prisoner of Conscience/Health Concern [1 Attachment]

Dear Fellow Activists,

 

Today, Amnesty International issued an urgent action for Bernard Zepherin Teyou, 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.

 

Please ask fellow Amnesty members and anyone who might be interested to act on his behalf.

 

Amnesty International has proven repeatedly that if we respond immediately to such urgent requests, we can help save the lives of those mentioned in such urgent appeals.

 

Thank you.

 

Terrie Rodello
AIUSA Central Africa RAN Coordinator

 

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

 

Amnesty International's mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the
rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the
context of its work to promote all human rights.

 

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 BakaryMinistry of CommunicationsYaoundé

 

REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

 

Ambassador Joseph B. C. Foe Atangana
Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon
1700 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20007

 

Phone: 1 202 265 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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Attachment(s) from Terrie Rodello

1 of 1 File(s)

uaa10911.pdf