Campaigners seek justice for journalist Samuel Wazizi Facebook
In response to a statement issued by the Cameroonian Ministry of Defense Friday, June 5, 2020 that journalist Samuel Wazizi died in government custody in August 2019, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued a statement demanding an immediate autopsy.
The independent, non-profit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide and defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal said an independent commission of inquiry should be able to hold those responsible for Wazizi’s death to account.
“The Cameroonian government’s cruel treatment of journalist Samuel Wazizi is truly shocking. It is unbelievable that authorities covered up his death in custody for 10 months despite repeated inquiries from press freedom advocates and his family, colleagues, friends, and lawyers,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program coordinator. “An independent autopsy should be conducted immediately, and Cameroon must also launch an independent commission of inquiry so that those responsible for Wazizi’s death are held accountable.”
A statement issued by military spokesperson Commander Cyrille Serge Atonfack Guemo, which CPJ reviewed, alleges that Wazizi died of severe sepsis on August 17, 2019. The statement denied that Wazizi had been tortured or abused, and said that the journalist’s family had been in contact with him in custody.
Wazizi’s sister-in-law, Metete Joan Njang, told CPJ Friday, June 5, 2020 in a phone interview that the journalist’s family had not been able to contact him since shortly after his arrest on August 2, 2019, and was not made aware of his death until a news report on June 3.
Police arrested Wazizi on August 2, 2019 and transferred him to military custody on August 7, after which he was held incommunicado, according to CPJ research. His lawyers, family and colleagues say they were left in the dark about Wazizi’s whereabouts until news of his death came.
On May 7, 2020, the High Court of Fako Division Buea, per Mr. Justice Mbonge Wilson Ebong Ngole (President) issued a Ruling rejecting a Habeas Corpus application that sought proof of life for the journalist.
In 2010, journalist Bibi Ngota similarly died while in government custody; his death certificate said he died from a lack of medical attention while in prison, according to CPJ research.
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