Cameroon: Further information on torture and ill-treatment / possible prisoners of conscience / medical concern / death in custody: reports of torture amid large-scale arrests

Index Number: AFR 17/010/1997
Date Published: 12 June 1997
Categories: Africa, Cameroon

Another of those detained following violent incidents in North-West Province in late March 1997 is reported to have died of torture. Pa Mathias Gwei was arrested in Oku, Bui Division, but was transferred to Bamenda and held incommunicado at the headquarters of the Gendarmerie Legion. Although critically ill as a result of torture, he was reportedly denied medical treatment, and was finally admitted to hospital on 25 May 1997 where he died a few hours later. On 16 May forty-nine detainees were released, and a further twenty-one have since been released. An unknown number, however, are believed to be still detained incommunicado and several are reportedly in need of medical attention, including Zacharia Khan, a traditional medicine practitioner.