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2007 Assessment

Cameroon: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Cameroon: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Judicial Accountability
Indicators		Score
33	Are judges appointed fairly?	50
34	Can members of the judiciary be held accountable for their actions?	54
35	Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest for the national-level judiciary?	29
36	Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of members of the national-level judiciary?	0

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Are judges appointed fairly?

33a: In law, there is a transparent procedure for selecting national-level judges.

Score:

YES

Comments: Although the process in practice is controlled heavily by the executive, the process is ostensibly transparent.

References: The National School of Administration and Magistrature, created in 1961 ([ LINK ]).

Peer Review Comments: But in practice, it is by relationship.

Peer Review Comments: The executive branch handles this without rendering any account.

Peer Review Comments: In Cameroon, the head of state is equally the head of the judiciary and selects judges of the supreme on factors best known to him alone.

33b: In practice, there are certain professional criteria required for the selection of national-level judges.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Crise à lEnam : le Ministre de la fonction publique désavoué, in Journalchretien.net, vendredi 30 juin 2006 ([ LINK ]). - David Atemkeng, "Enam: Amama désavoué," in [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: There are no clearly stated criteria for being appointed a supreme court judge in Cameroon.

33c: In law, there is a confirmation process for national-level judges (i.e. conducted by the legislature or an independent body).

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: there are no legal provisions in this field

Can members of the judiciary be held accountable for their actions?

34a: In law, members of the national-level judiciary are obliged to give reasons for their decisions.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with Ordinance N° 72/6 of August 26, 1972, fixing the organization of the Supreme Court.

Peer Review Comments: Yes, but in law, the judge can decide by his own conviction.

34b: In practice, members of the national-level judiciary give reasons for their decisions.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Roger Sockeng, "Les institutions judiciaires au Cameroun,: Groupe St-François, 1998. - Joel Didier Engo, La justice au Cameroun : une imposture permanente, in La Nouvelle Expression, 2/07/2007 (www.lanouvelleexpression.net).

Peer Review Comments: Yes, but there are some exceptions.

Peer Review Comments: They give reasons, even if they don't make any sense.

34c: In law, there is a disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) for the national-level judicial system.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The Supreme Council of the Magistrature (Article 37 (3) of the Constitution of January 18, 1996).

Peer Review Comments: The executive presides over the disciplinary agency.

34d: In law, the judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: The President of the Higher Council of Magistrature is the head of state. The General Secretary of this council, Mr Foumane Akame is a close friend of the current head of state and a member of the ruling party.

References: In accordance with Article 37 (2) of the Constitution of January 18, 1996

Peer Review Comments: It is a political structure.

34e: In practice, when necessary, the judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) initiates investigations.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) aggressively starts investigations -- or participates fully with cooperating agencies\' investigations -- into judicial misconduct. The judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) is fair in its application of this power. <p>50 Score Criteria: The judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) will start or cooperate in investigations, but often relies on external pressure to set priorities, or has limited effectiveness when investigating. The judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism), though limited in effectiveness, is still fair in its application of power. <p>0 Score Criteria: The judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) rarely investigates on its own or cooperates in other agencies\' investigations, or the judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) is partisan in its application of this power.$

Comments:

34f: In practice, when necessary, the judicial disciplinary agency (or equivalent mechanism) imposes penalties on offenders.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Amadou Mbeyap Kutnjem, Le droit à la justice au Cameroun (à l'origine de l'accélération de la modernisation du code pénal camerounais), Mémoire de DEA, Chaire Unesco des Droits de la personne et de la démocratie, Université d'ABOMEY-CALAVI, 2004-2005. - Pierre- Etienne Kenfack, "L'accès à la justice au Cameroun", cahier de l'UCAC, n°1, dignité humaine en Afrique, (Hommage à Henri Decker) Presse Universitaire Catholique d'Afrique Centrale, 1997. - Edouard Kitio, "La garde à vue administrative pour grand banditisme et respect des droits de l'homme au Cameroun", Application de la loi n° 90/054 du 19 December 1990 sur le maintien de l'ordre, Jurispériodique, n°30, April-May-June 1997.

Peer Review Comments: This happens rarely.

Are there regulations governing conflicts of interest for the national-level judiciary?

35a: In law, members of the national-level judiciary are required to file an asset disclosure form.

Score:

YES

Comments: These provisions are not implemented in practice. Critics argue that the Cameroonian authorities adopt texts to satisfy the international community, but do not apply them in practice. For example, the Commonwealth has funded the creation of ELECAM (Elections of Cameroon) this year, but the government has not implemented it. The Senate, decentralization, and a Constitutional Council are provided for in the Constitution but none of them have been implemented in 10 years. Similarly, Article 66 has never been implemented.

References: In accordance with Decree N°95/048 of March 4, 1995, concerning the statute of the magistrature in Cameroon, and Article 66 of the Constitution.

Peer Review Comments: The legal framework has been in preparation since 1996.

35b: In law, there are regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to members of the national-level judiciary.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: in accordance with Decree N°95/048 of March 4, 1995, concerning statute of the magistrature in Cameroon.

Peer Review Comments: They live beyond their salaries

35c: In law, there are requirements for the independent auditing of the asset disclosure forms of members of the national-level judiciary.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: In accordance with Article 66 of the Constitution of January 18, 1996.

Peer Review Comments: Legal Framework in preparation since 1996

35d: In law, there are restrictions for national-level judges entering the private sector after leaving the government.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: There are no legal references concerning this aspect.

Peer Review Comments: Some even become lawyers!!

35e: In practice, the regulations restricting post-government private sector employment for national-level judges are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

35f: In practice, the regulations governing gifts and hospitality offered to members of the national-level judiciary are effective.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: - Amadou Mbeyap Kutnjem, Le droit à la justice au Cameroun (à l'origine de l'accélération de la modernisation du code pénal camerounais), Mémoire de DEA, Chaire Unesco des Droits de la personne et de la démocratie, Université d'ABOMEY-CALAVI, 2004-2005. - Pierre- Etienne Kenfack, "L'accès à la justice au Cameroun", cahier de l'UCAC, n°1, dignité humaine en Afrique, (Hommage à Henri Decker) Presse Universitaire Catholique d'Afrique Centrale, 1997. - Joel Didier Engo, "La justice au Cameroun : une imposture permanente," in La Nouvelle Expression, 2/07/2007 (www.lanouvelleexpression.net).

Peer Review Comments: They receive gifts with impunity.

Peer Review Comments: Gifts and hospitality are part of the asset disclosure provision of the constitution that has never been applied, so Cameroonians have not yet integrated this aspect into the psyche.

35g: In practice, national-level judiciary asset disclosures are audited.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Amadou Mbeyap Kutnjem, "Le droit à la justice au Cameroun (à l'origine de l'accélération de la modernisation du code pénal camerounais)," Mémoire de DEA, Chaire Unesco des Droits de la personne et de la démocratie, Université d'ABOMEY-CALAVI, 2004-2005. - Adolphe Minkoa She, "Droit de l'homme et droit pénal au Cameroun", Economica, Paris, collection « la vie du droit en Afrique », 1999. - Joel Didier Engo, "La justice au Cameroun : une imposture permanente," in La Nouvelle Expression, 2/07/2007 (www.lanouvelleexpression.net). - Pierre-Etienne Kenfack, "L'accès à la justice au Cameroun", cahier de l'UCAC, n°1, dignité humaine en Afrique, (Hommage à Henri Decker), Presse Universitaire Catholique d'Afrique Centrale, 1997.

Can citizens access the asset disclosure records of members of the national-level judiciary?

36a: In law, citizens can access the asset disclosure records of members of the national-level judiciary.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: There has been no practical implementation of the legal requirements for asset disclosure under Article 66 of the constitution.

36b: In practice, citizens can access judicial asset disclosure records within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: There has been no practical implementation of the legal requirements for asset disclosure under Article 66 of the constitution.

References: - Amadou Mbeyap Kutnjem, "Le droit à la justice au Cameroun (à l'origine de l'accélération de la modernisation du code pénal camerounais)," Mémoire de DEA, Chaire Unesco des Droits de la personne et de la démocratie, Université d'ABOMEY-CALAVI, 2004-2005. - Adolphe Minkoa She, "Droit de l'homme et droit pénal au Cameroun," Economica, Paris, collection « la vie du droit en Afrique », 1999. Joel Didier Engo, "La justice au Cameroun : une imposture permanente," in La Nouvelle Expression, 2/07/2007 (www.lanouvelleexpression.net). Pierre- Etienne Kenfack, "L'accès à la justice au Cameroun," cahier de l'UCAC, n°1, dignité humaine en Afrique, (Hommage à Henri Decker) Presse Universitaire Catholique d'Afrique Centrale, 1997.

36c: In practice, citizens can access judicial asset disclosure records at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: There has been no practical implementation of the legal requirements for asset disclosure under Article 66 of the constitution.

References: - Amadou Mbeyap Kutnjem, "Le droit à la justice au Cameroun (à l'origine de l'accélération de la modernisation du code pénal camerounais)," Mémoire de DEA, Chaire Unesco des Droits de la personne et de la démocratie, Université d'ABOMEY-CALAVI, 2004-2005. - Adolphe Minkoa She, "Droit de l'homme et droit pénal au Cameroun," Economica, Paris, collection « la vie du droit en Afrique », 1999. Joel Didier Engo, "La justice au Cameroun : une imposture permanente," in La Nouvelle Expression, 2/07/2007 (www.lanouvelleexpression.net). - Pierre- Etienne Kenfack, "L'accès à la justice au Cameroun," cahier de l'UCAC, n°1, dignité humaine en Afrique, (Hommage à Henri Decker) Presse Universitaire Catholique d'Afrique Centrale, 1997.