Jean-Marc Bikoko

On 16 January 2012, human rights defenders and trade unionists Jean-Marc Bikoko, Maurice Angelo Phouet Foe, Tobie Mbassi Ondoa, Joseph Ze, Eric Nla'a, Nkili Effoua and Claude Charles Felein appeared before the Court of First Instance in Mfoundi.

They recounted their version of the facts under oath, relating to the charges of organising an illegal demonstration and disrupting public order which were brought against them following a demonstration organised by the Centrale Syndicale du Secteur Publique (CSP) (Central Union of the Public Sector) in front of the office of the Prime Minister on 11 November 2010.

To date there have been reports of irregularities in the judicial process and the matter has been before the Court on nine previous occasions. On 7 February 2011 the Public Prosecutor presented as evidence a letter from the Division Officer prohibiting the peaceful sit-in. However, the law requires a decree of a higher authority than that of the Division Officer. The defense also argued that the aforementioned letter had never been properly notified as required.

The appearance in Court on 16 January 2012 afforded each human rights defender an opportunity to give his account of the events, to respond to evidence put forward by the prosecution, and to reply to questions asked of them by their lawyer and the Public Prosecutor representing the Prime Minster.

Following two hours of testimony the matter was adjourned for deliberation until 5 March 2012.

See the original Front Line Defenders appeal dated 22 December 2011.