CAMEROON: Police shooting that led to deaths of protestors must be urgently investigated

Following reports that several people had been shot dead by security forces in massive protests - some of which turned violent - in the Cameroon’s Anglophone regions, Ilaria Allegrozzi, Amnesty International Lake Chad researcher said.

“The reported unlawful killing of several people in the Anglophone regions by the security forces coupled with the blocks on Facebook and WhatsApp represent an extremely worrying escalation of the government’s on-going campaign to silence any form of dissent in the West and South-West regions of Cameroon. 

“In order to avoid further bloodshed, the security forces must cease unnecessary and excessive use of force, and protesters should be peaceful if they want to make their voices heard. The government should investigate these killings.

“The arbitrary decision to ban meetings and movement is totally unacceptable.  The authorities must respect people’s right to freedom of assembly and movement.”