Case History: Jean Marc Bikoko

On 9 December 2020, the Court of First Instance of Yaounde administrative centre postponed the hearing of human rights defenders Jean Marc Bikoko, Agnès Adelaide Metougou, Yves Ndjalla Epangue, Jessie Bikoko and Severin Le Juste Bikoko. Their hearing has already been adjourned over 30 times since their arrest on 15 September 2015. The five defenders are charged with rebellion and illegal demonstration, and if convicted, could be sentenced to between 6 months and 5 years of imprisonment.

Jean Marc Bikoko, Agnès Adelaide Metougou, Yves Ndjalla Epangue, Jessie Bikoko and Séverin Le Juste Bikoko are human rights defenders and members of Dynamique Citoyenne (Dynamic Citizen), a network of Cameroonian civil society organisations composed of more than 150 other groups, including religious congregations, trade unions, associations and non-governmental organisations, that conduct independent monitoring of public policies and cooperation and advocacy strategies.

The five human rights defenders were arrested on 15 September 2015 by police during a workshop organised by Dynamique Citoyenne to mark the International Day of Democracy. The defenders were arrested for allegedly refusing to comply with the orders of the sub-divisional officer to suspend the workshop. However, he had not presented any formal documents to support this order. Following their arrest, the human rights defenders were taken to the Central Police Station No. 1, where they spent the night before being transferred to the police academy in the Tsinga neighbourhood of Yaoundé. On 23 September 2015, the defenders were released without bail by order of the Court of First Instance. Initially charged with disobedience and rebellion, the charges were later changed for rebellion and illegal demonstration.

More than five years after their arrest, Jean Marc Bikoko, Agnès Adelaide Metougou, Yves Ndjalla Epangue, Jessie Bikoko and Severin Le Juste Bikoko still haven’t been tried and the hearing has been postponed over 30 times. This judicial harassment causes continuous stress and legal expenses for the five human rights defenders. The next hearing is scheduled for 10 February 2021 at the Court of First Instance of Yaounde administrative centre.

Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned by the judicial harassment against human rights defenders Jean Marc Bikoko, Agnès Adelaide Metougou, Yves Ndjalla Epangue, Jessie Bikoko and Severin Le Juste Bikoko, as it believes that it is a direct result of their legitimate and peaceful activities in defence of human rights. Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Cameroon to immediately drop all charges against the five human rights defenders.

On 15 September 2015 security forces in Yaoundé arrested human rights defender Mr Jean Marc Bikoko and a number of his colleagues at a workshop organised to mark the International Day of Democracy.

He is also a focal point at national level for Dynamique Citoyenne (Dynamic Citizen), a network of Cameroonian civil society organisations which is made up of more than 150 other groups, including religious congregations, trade unions, associations and non-governmental organisations that conduct independent monitoring of public policies and cooperation and advocacy strategies.

On 15 September 2015, Jean Marc Bikoko and his colleagues attended an event organised by Dynamique Citoyenne, where they were invited to discuss the topic "Electoral governance and democratic change". The talk took place at the Sports Arena of Yaoundé, in the south of the country.

The event was a prelude to the opening of the ordinary session of the national coordination of Dynamique Citoyenne, which was scheduled for 16 and 17 September 2015.

Shortly after the workshop began, a group of policemen arrived and ordered the suspension of the event. The police said the workshop could not be held because it had not been authorized by the divisional office, even if the law only requires such prior notices for demonstrations.

Another group of policemen arrived a few hours later and reiterated the order to suspend the workshop. At around midday, the sub-prefect of Yaoundé arrived with the same request, accompanied by the Regional Delegate of the National Security (Sureté Nationale) and several police officers in uniform.

On each occasion, Jean Marc Bikoko referred to the legal provisions concerning public meetings and demonstrations in Cameroon. When he asked the authorities to present a formal document prohibiting the workshop, the police ignored his request and ordered to clear the room, forcing the participants all out of the building.

They then arrested Jean Marc Bikoko together with Ms Agnès Adelaide Metougou, head of communication of Dynamic Citizen, Ms Ndjalla Epangue Yves, the national leader of Dynamic Citizen, Ms Jessie Bikoko, national animator of Dynamic Citizen, and Jean Marc Bikoko's son, Mr Lejuste Bikoko, who was attending the event. A journalist who was covering the workshop was also detained. Furthermore, security forces confiscated the media equipment belonging to journalists, including their cameras.

After their arrest, Jean Marie Bikoko and his colleagues were taken to the Central Police Station No. 1 where they spent the night. The following day they were transferred to the police academy in the Tsinga neighbourhood of Yaoundé, where they remain in detention.

On the morning of 16 September 2015, the police once again targeted Dynamic Citizen as they arrested three other members of the network: Mr Jean Baptiste Sipa , coordinator of the organisation Article 55 , Mr. Leon Ngaba, the permanent secretary of Dynamic Citizen and Pastor Vincent Pong, a member of CRADIF Mbalmayo . They were held in the Nkolndongo police station and released later the same day, at around 9pm.

On 16 September 2015, those who remained in detention were informed that they will be held in administrative detention for 15 days. Local sources reported the arrest may be based on terrorism charges, as 15 days administrative detention is part of the procedure under the anti-terrorism law.