Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Cameroon (Ratification: 1962)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Imposition of prison sentences involving the obligation to work as a punishment for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. For a number of years, the Committee has been drawing the Government’s attention to certain provisions of the legislation, under which prison sentences may be imposed in situations covered by Article 1(a) of the Convention, with such sentences involving compulsory prison labour pursuant to section 24 of the Penal Code and section 49 of Decree No. 92-052 of 27 March 1992 issuing the prison regulations. More particularly, the Committee referred to the following legal provisions:

• Penal Code (section 113 – propagating false information that may be detrimental to the public authorities or national unity; section 153 – insulting the President; sections 154(2) and 157(1)(a) – incitement, whether in speech or in writings, to revolt or obstruct the enforcement of any law);
• Law No. 90-53 of 19 December 1990 concerning freedom of association (sections 4, 14 and 33(1) and (3) – continued operation or re-establishment of a dissolved association); and
• Law No. 2014/028 of 23 December 2014 on the suppression of terrorism (section 2 – definition).

The Committee notes that, in its report, the Government once again indicates that compulsory prison labour is intended to prepare prisoners for their social reintegration, and that the provisions of Law No. 90-53 concerning freedom of association were adopted to maintain the legal system, security and the national and territorial integrity of the country.

The Committee recalls that the Convention prohibits the use of compulsory labour, including compulsory prison labour, for expressing political views or opposing the established political, social or economic system. The Committee observes in this regard that, during his official visit to Cameroon in August 2024, the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights raised serious concerns overs restrictions on freedom of expression and association and the right to peaceful assembly (OHCHR, press release, 7 August 2024). Furthermore, the Committee notes that, in its concluding observations of December 2024, the UN Committee against Torture remained concern about: (1) reports that the definition of terrorism contained in Law No. 2014/028 is vague, overly broad and has reportedly been used to stifle critics, real or perceived, of the Government; and (2) numerous allegations of reprisals, physical or psychological attacks, judicial persecution, arbitrary arrest and detention, prosecution, including before military courts, and ill-treatment of human rights defenders, members of civil society, journalists, political opponents and peaceful demonstrators (CAT/C/CMR/CO/6). It also notes that in a press release dated 2 September 2025, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights denounced restrictions on civic space in the lead up to the presidential election, referring to bans on gatherings, arrests of opposition supporters for public disorder or incitement to revolt, and the suspension of three civil society organizations (OHCHR).

Lastly, the Committee notes the Government’s statement that Law No. 2014/028 of 23 December 2014 on the suppression of terrorism is currently being amended in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. In this regard, it recalls that, in its observation of 2024 on the application of the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), it observed that some of the situations covered by this law might relate to the legitimate exercise of activities by the representatives of trade unions or employers and, in view of the penalty incurred, have a particularly intimidating effect on representatives of trade unions or employers expressing views or taking action in the context of their mandates.

The Committee notes with deep concern this information, as well as the lack of specific information from the Government on the steps taken to ensure the full application of the Convention. The Committee urges the Government to take immediate steps to ensure that no prison sentences involving compulsory labour can be imposed, both in law and practice, on persons who peacefully express political views or views ideologically opposed the established political, social or economic system. It once again requests the Government to: (i) review the above-mentioned provisions of the Penal Code, Law No. 90-53 concerning freedom of association and Law No. 2014/028 on the repression of terrorism, for example, by unequivocally restricting their scope to situations involving the use of violence or by removing penalties that may entail compulsory labour; (ii) provide information on any progress made in this regard; and (iii) indicate the number of prosecutions brought under each of these provisions, the facts underlying these prosecutions and the type of penalties imposed.