Resolution on the prosecution of journalists in Cameroon, notably the cases of Amadou Vamoulké, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, Mancho Bibixy, Thomas Awah Junior, Tsi Conrad

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the prosecution of journalists in Cameroon, notably the cases of Amadou Vamoulké, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, Mancho Bibixy, Thomas Awah Junior and Tsi Conrad.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew, Greens/EFA and The Left groups.

As a reminder, although the Cameroonian Constitution recognises freedom of expression and fundamental rights, press freedom in Cameroon is deteriorating.

Tsi Conrad, Mancho Bibixy, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka and Thomas Awah Junior are journalists who reported on the situation in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, including on abuses perpetrated during the armed conflict and ongoing civil unrest. Amadou Vamoulké, a journalist in poor health, was sentenced to 32 years in prison for his independent management of the state broadcaster.

Parliament condemned the structural violations of journalists’ human rights by the Cameroonian authorities and called on those authorities to ensure that press freedom is respected, particularly in the run-up to Cameroon’s 2025 presidential elections. It also urged them to immediately and unconditionally release Amadou Vamoulké, Kingsley Fomunyuy Njoka, Mancho Bibixy, Thomas Awah Junior and Tsi Conrad and ensure, in the meantime, that their basic rights are upheld and that they have access to medical treatment.

The resolution urged the Cameroonian authorities to end their practice of trying civilians in military courts, which does not comply with international law, and to stop abusively invoking terrorism, anti-state and ‘fake news’ charges in cases against journalists.

The EU is called on to:

- use its diplomatic and economic leverage to achieve tangible improvements in human rights in Cameroon;

- facilitate humanitarian visa applications for Cameroonian journalists at risk of persecution.