By Elah Geofrey Mbongale
Activities have been launched for the Cameroon branch of the International legal organization, Avocats sans frontieres Humanitaires du Cameroun, ASF otherwise known as Lawyers Without Boarders for Humanitarian Activities. The activities were launched last May 23, 2017 in Yaounde.
The launching of the activities of the association was aimed at notifying the national and international community of its presence in Cameroon as well as educate the public on their activities.
Avocat sans Frontier network is an international association of lawyers and jurists founded in 1972 in Belgium by some lawyers in view of defending human and people’s rights and the rights of the vulnerable population.
In 1998 ASF developed itself along national associations in countries like Denmark, France, Mali, Switzerland, Mauritania amongst others. In 2017, after approval by the status governing the existence of associations of that nature in Cameroon, and after complying with the relevant national and international procedures, the association’s activities were launched on May 23, 2017.
Though the association is largely made up of French-speaking countries, Cameroon’s unique bi-jural system intrigued the founders who saw the necessity of both systems to be represented in pioneer executive of the association in Cameroon.
Me. Barrister Tchatat Pelerine was appointed pioneer National president while Barrister Arrey Collins was appointed National vice president of Avocat Sans Frontier Humanitaire du Cammeroun. Other members of the executive include; Members of the Executive of the Cameroon Association of Lawyers Without Borders And Humanitarian Activities:
President: Barrister Tchatat Pelerine, Vice President: Barrister Arrey Collins, Secretary General: Barrister Mandeng Antoine, Assistant Sec General: Barrister Zogo Desire, Treasurer: Barrister Nonnah Stephen, Assistant Treasurer: Barrister Embollo Yvette, Communication Officer: Barrister Mildred Bejuka, Head Of Missions N0 1: Barrister Nyimedok Mirreille, Head Of Missions N0 2: Barrister Batindi nee Ngongo Fernande N.
The new executive hit the ground running by engaging in activities immediately after installation. Members of the association visited the Central prison in Kribi on Saturday, May 27.
Speaking to the National Vice President, Barrister Arrey Collins told The SUN that his association aims to fight for human rights especially for the vulnerable population. He said they work in synergy with the Cameroon Bar Association and other Human rights groups nationally and internationally.