Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1998, published 87th ILC session (1999)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. The Committee has noted the Government's brief reply to its last observation. The matters raised concerned sections 111, 113, 116, 154 and 157 of the Penal Code, and Act No. 90-53 relating to freedom of association: those provisions define offences connected with the expression of political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system, and under sections 18 and 24 of the Penal Code they may give rise to sentences of imprisonment with compulsory labour. The Committee referred to the explanations in paragraphs 102 to 109 of the General Survey of 1979 on the abolition of forced labour, as to the incompatibility with the Convention which results from these provisions.

The Committee notes the Government's indication that there has been no use of forced labour for the expression of ideological opposition to the political system, and that many political parties now operate in Cameroon. It would nevertheless refer further to paragraphs 133 to 140 of the General Survey, regarding the politically coercive effect of the mere possibility of forced labour being imposed in cases such as those mentioned here. It would be glad if the Government would take early steps to ensure the Convention is observed on this point, pending which the Government will no doubt wish to continue indicating whether any use has been made of the provisions cited.