AFTRADEMOP and Another v Cameroon (Communication 336 of 2007)
Observed later treatment
No later-treatment classification is recorded for this judgment.
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Holding
The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights struck out Communication 336/2007 for lack of diligent prosecution. After declaring the communication admissible at its 50th Ordinary Session, the Commission gave complainants sixty days to submit observations on the merits. Despite multiple reminders and a final one-month extension with warning of strike-out, complainants failed to submit any observations or correspondence. The Commission concluded this constituted lack of diligent prosecution and struck out the communication.
Outcome
Communication struck out — complainants failed to prosecute after admissibility decision
Facts
AFTRADEMOP and Global Welfare Association filed a communication on behalf of the Moko-oh Indigenous Peoples of Cameroon alleging historical oppression, land dispossession, and ongoing violations by the Bali-Nyonga tribe and Cameroonian authorities. The complainants alleged violations dating from the colonial period through independence, including forced displacement, destruction of villages, denial of land rights, suspension of their association, attacks on members, and failure of authorities to provide remedies. They alleged violations of multiple articles of the African Charter. The communication was received in February 2007, declared admissible at the Commission's 50th Ordinary Session in November 2011, and complainants were given until February 2012 to submit observations on the merits. No submissions were received despite a final reminder in August 2012 warning of strike-out.
Issues
- Whether the complainants failed to diligently prosecute their communication after it was declared admissible.
- Whether the Commission should strike out the communication for failure to submit observations on the merits within the prescribed time.
Orders
- Communication struck out for lack of diligent prosecution.
- Both parties to be notified of the decision.
Rules and key headnotes
Legislation cited (1)
- African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights Articles 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 14, 19, 20(1), 20(2), 20(3), 21, 24
Full judgment
The original judgment as reported. Read the original PDF before relying on any passage.