After months of uncertainty, the Cameroon government has finally admitted that Cameroon journalist Samuel Wazizi died in prison shortly after his arrest. Wazizi, whose legal name is Samuel Ajiekah Abuwe, was arrested in August 2019 for his critical reporting on the government’s handling of the separatist conflict in Cameroon. Since his arrest Wazizi’s lawyer, Emmanuel Nkea, supported by Media Defence, had been trying to establish his whereabouts and what had happened to him. The government had fiercely resisted those efforts at every stage of the various legal proceedings brought. A full and through investigation into Wazizi’s death is now an imperative, and the government must hold to account all of those responsible for his death and for covering up his disappearance for over ten months.
See international media coverage here:
https://www.africanews.com/2020/06/05/outrage-over-death-of-cameroonian-journalist-wazizi/
https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroon-journalists-blast-government-silence-case-missing-colleague
https://www.journalducameroun.com/en/cameroon-govt-finally-is
If you are a journalist in need of support, please click here.
If you would like to help us support journalists through donating funds or pro-bono work, please click here.
Recent News
Mamunur Rashid Nomani charged with violating Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act
Journalist Mamunur Rashid Nomani, editor of the local online news portal Barishal Khobor, has been charged with violating Bangladesh’s Digital Security Act (DSA), following an accusation claiming that he secretly filmed the mayor of Barisal and his family. Nomani rejects this, alleging instead that he and two of his acquaintances – Kamrul Mridha, working for […]
Media Defence extends partnership with three organisations in sub-Saharan Africa
As part of Media Defence’s project Empowering Women in Digital Rights Advocacy, we are building a strong legal defence network in sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this goal, we are providing financial assistance to organisations to establish legal aid units or media defence centres. We are excited to announce that, as part of this project, we are extending […]
15 Years of Impact: Internet Shutdowns
This year marks Media Defence’s 15th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, we will be taking a look at the ways in which freedom of expression has been threatened around the world, and how we have sought to protect it. The internet has become an essential part of modern life. It has transformed the way we […]