Cameroon: Adoption Of The Controversial Penal Code, The Standoff Continues Between Government And Lawyers

The newly proposed Cameroonian PENAL Code has been adopted by CPDM Senators at the Cameroon's National Assembly with the main opposition party (SDF)Senators walking out on Tuesday June 28,2016. The law was adopted 3 hours, 7 minutes behind schedule. The President of the Senate Niat Marcel is reported to have been called at the presidency where he spent much time. According to Equinoxe radio.

Justice Minister was Stranded at the senate as he also had to hold talks with the Senate president who at that time was still at the presidency of the Republic. After lengthy discussions with the President of the Republic,Cameroon's Senate Boss had a one to one close door meeting with Justice Minister Laurent Esso before adopting the bill.

At the Bar council meeting in Douala on Tuesday 28 June 2016,Cameroonian lawyers stated that, "the draft Penal Code submitted to Parliament is different in several points to the draft discussed in back in December of 2011". The Cameroonian lawyers association further lays as rejection the fact that the new amendmends in the bill gives privileges to the rich and powerful over the weak and poor, including the criminalization of non-payment of rents .
BAR COUNCIL STANDS FIRM
The Bar Council holding an extra ordinary session in Douala Tuesday with presence of former Batoniers, president of General Assembly. The Bar president Barrister Jackson Gnie Kamga says because :

A. The PENAL Code presented violates international conventions.
B. The PENAL Code is different from what was presented to the Bar in December 2011.
C.The new PENAL CODE has discriminatory justice.
D. Puts national cohesion in peril
E. Jeopardizes the bi cultural nature with wrong translation and interpretation.
F. Does not condemn illicit enrichment and does not reinforce article 66 of the Constitution on declaration of assets.

The Bar has called on the president not to promulgate the PENAL Code into law without sending back to the National Assembly for correction. The lawyers will forward their decision to the presidency.