Cameroon: Judicial harassment against women human rights defenders and arbitrary suspension of human rights organisation
Front Line Defenders expresses its deep concern over the judicial harassment of women human rights defenders Maximilienne Ngo Mbe and Alice Nkom, and the ongoing suspension and closure of the headquarters of REDHAC, the Central African Network of Human Rights Defenders (Réseau des Défenseurs des Droits de l'Homme de l'Afrique Centrale) by Cameroonian authorities. The suspension of REDHAC’s activities and the sealed off its headquarters in Douala by the country authorities since December 2024 , has severely restricted the organisation support to human rights defenders. REDHAC Executive Director Maximilienne Ngo Mbe and Board Chairperson Alice Nkom, who opposed the closure of REDHAC, are summoned to appear in court on 4 August 2025 on the charge of Breach of Seals (« bris des scellés »). These measures by Cameroon authorities reflect the shrinking civic space and erosion of human rights in Cameroon in recent years, particularly through the actions taken by the Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT).
Maximilienne Ngo Mbe is a woman human rights defenders and the Executive Director of REDHAC. She has been the subject of threats and smear campaigns in the past, specifically in relation to REDHAC’s work in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon and their work with the LGBTQI+ community. Alice Nkom is a Cameroonian lawyer and woman human rights defender with over twenty years of experience working on human rights, with a particular focus on LGBTQI+ rights and women’s rights. She is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of REDHAC. REDHAC is a coalition of human rights defenders active in eight countries in Central Africa. REDHAC represents over 400 members, including human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists, with the aim to mitigate the risks that they face, and raise awareness of the human rights situation in the region.
After a first hearing on 7 April 2025, the Bonanjo Court of First Instance in Douala held the second hearing in the case of the women human rights defender Alice Nkom and Maximilienne Ngo Mbe on 2 June. Despite the presence of defendants, the judge refused to begin with the proceedings, arguing that Maximilienne Ngo Mbe did not submit a written notification to the Court confirming her presence at the hearing. The hearing was therefore adjourned to 4 August.
On 6 December 2024, a decree by MINAT suspended the activities of REDHAC and several human rights organisations, including the Association Charitable Socio-Cultural du Cameroun (ACSCC), Reach Out Cameroun (ROC), and the L.M Nanje Fondation INC, allegedly due to illicit and exorbitant financing inconsistent with their activity profile. According to MINAT, their activities also undermined the integrity of the national financial system and they operated without authorisation. As pointed out by regional networks , these accusations are part of a deliberate disinformation campaign and contradict the provisions of the Cameroonian Financial Action Task Force. In addition to the arbitrary suspensions, several human rights organisations have reported increased threats, surveillance, and harassment since the decree was issued.
On 9 December 2024, local authorities in Douala sealed off the headquarters of REDHAC. The woman human rights defender Alice Nkom was present at the scene and opposed the arbitrary closure of the headquarters and entered the sealed offices.
In January 2025, Alice Nkom, Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, and members of REDHAC were summoned to the Judicial Police Division in Douala and other judicial institutions, which accused them of violating Section 191. This Section concerns the Breach of Seals of the Cameroon Penal Code, which determines that “whoever breaks any seal lawfully affixed shall be punished with imprisonment for from six months to two years and with fine of from CFA 50.000 to CFA 500.000.” Moreover Alice Nkom was summoned by the State Secretariat of Defense in Yaoundé on several charges, including attempted attack on State security and financing of terrorism.
On the night of 22 April, unidentified individuals broke into the headquarters of REDHAC and stole the organisation’s equipment. Despite raising the alarm with the authorities, the police did not show up. REDHAC staff was unable to stop the intruders as as they were concerned that neglecting the authorities’ seal would lead to further charges. During a second break-in on 29 April, the police arrested one person, who is being held at the Douala police station.
Similarly , during the night of 18 to 19 January 2025, unidentified individuals broke into the offices of Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme (NDH-Cameroon) in Yaoundé and stole work equipment. On the night of 1 to 2 February, NDH-Cameroon reported a second break-in and the destruction of documents and work equipment. The police and gendarmerie arrested one person. No action has yet been taken regarding the two official complaints filed with the police and gendarmerie for this theft.
On 24 March 2025, MINAT sent a list of organisations to its technical and financial partners prohibiting them from supporting unlisted organisations. This list excludes, amongst other, REDHAC and NDH-Cameroon. The event raised serious concerns on the abuse of administrative powers by MINAT, as these developments undermine the rule of law and threatens the ability of human rights defenders to carry out their work safely and independently.
Front Line Defenders condemns the systematic harassment of human rights defenders and the suspension of organisations and networks supporting human rights defenders. Front Line Defenders call on the Cameroonian authorities to drop the charges against Maximilienne Ngo Mbe and Alice Nkom as they are being judicially harassed for opposing the arbitrary measures taken against REDHAC and carrying out their human rights work. The organisation reminds the Cameroonian authorities that the activities of REDHAC and its members are protected under Cameroon’s obligations to the United Nations Charter and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Therefore, Front Line Defenders urges Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration to revoke his decision to suspend the activities of REDHAC and other human rights organisation, and ensure that human rights defenders in Cameroon can pursue their work freely and without fear of intimidation and harassment.
