Human Rights Watch Condemns Cameroon Killings and Arrests After Disputed Paul Biya Election

Introduction

In the wake of Cameroon’s highly contested presidential election on October 12, 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a strong rebuke against the government’s use of lethal force and widespread arrests to quell post-election protests. President Paul Biya, at 92 the world’s oldest serving head of state, was declared the victor, igniting widespread demonstrations across the Central African nation. Opposition leaders, including Issa Tchiroma Bakary—a former ally turned critic—allege electoral fraud and have urged continued rallies and civil disobedience.

This Cameroon election controversy highlights ongoing tensions in a country grappling with political repression and human rights challenges. HRW’s report, released on November 12, 2025, underscores disproportionate government responses, including detentions in facilities notorious for torture. This article breaks down the events, HRW’s analysis, and broader implications for post-election violence in Cameroon, offering a pedagogical guide to understanding international human rights monitoring in disputed votes.

Analysis

Human Rights Watch, a globally respected nongovernmental organization founded in 1978, monitors and documents human rights abuses worldwide. In its commentary on Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election protests, HRW details a pattern of state-sponsored violence that exceeds necessary measures for public order.

Background on the Disputed Election

Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him Africa’s second-longest-serving leader after Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea. The October 12, 2025, election saw Biya’s ruling party claim victory amid opposition accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and irregularities. Protests erupted in cities like Garoua and Yaoundé, with security forces deployed to maintain order.

HRW’s Key Observations

While acknowledging instances of protester violence—such as attacks on police—HRW emphasizes the government’s “deadly force and mass arrests” as disproportionate. At least six detainees are held at the State Defence Secretariat (SEC) in Yaoundé, a site with a documented history of torture, as reported in prior HRW investigations dating back to 2017.

Senior HRW Africa researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi stated: “The violent crackdown on protesters and ordinary citizens across Cameroon lays bare a deepening trend of repression that casts a gloomy cloud over the election.” This analysis draws from eyewitness accounts, victim interviews, and official statements, aligning with HRW’s rigorous methodology.

Summary

Human Rights Watch has condemned Cameroon’s authorities for excessive use of force and arbitrary detentions following the disputed re-election of President Paul Biya on October 12, 2025. Protests alleging fraud led to clashes, with HRW documenting killings, mass arrests, and holds in torture-prone facilities. The organization calls for investigations into security forces, immediate releases of nonviolent detainees, and fair trials, while noting some protester aggression.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For citizens, journalists, and activists navigating Cameroon post-election protests, practical steps grounded in international standards can mitigate risks and promote accountability.

Documenting Abuses Safely

Use secure apps like Signal for sharing evidence with organizations like HRW or Amnesty International. Timestamp photos and videos with location data disabled for safety. Report to local human rights defenders or international hotlines.

Participating in Protests Legally

Know your rights under Cameroon’s 1990 Peaceful Assembly Law, which permits nonviolent gatherings with prior notification. Avoid property damage or attacks on officials to qualify for legal protections.

Seeking Legal Aid

Contact groups like the Cameroon Bar Association or international bodies such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for representation. Families of detainees should file habeas corpus petitions promptly.

Points of Caution

Post-election violence in Cameroon poses severe risks, as evidenced by HRW reports.

Risks of Detention

Facilities like the State Defence Secretariat have histories of torture, including beatings and enforced disappearances, per HRW and UN documentation. Detainees face incommunicado holds without charges.

Escalation Dangers

Protests can turn violent quickly; security forces have used live ammunition, leading to fatalities. Civilians risk arbitrary arrest for mere presence or social media posts criticizing the government.

Digital Surveillance

Cameroon’s National Communications Council monitors online dissent, leading to cybercrime charges under 2010 laws.

Comparison

Cameroon’s 2025 election crackdown mirrors patterns in prior polls and regional peers.

Vs. Previous Cameroon Elections

In 2018, similar protests followed Biya’s win, with HRW reporting over 100 opposition arrests and internet shutdowns. The 2025 events continue this trend amid the unresolved Anglophone crisis since 2016.

Vs. Other African Nations

Like Zimbabwe’s 2018 post-Mnangagwa election violence or Uganda’s 2021 Museveni protests—where security killed dozens—Cameroon’s response involves lethal force and torture allegations. HRW criticized all for violating African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Article 11 (right to assembly).

Legal Implications

Applicable international law underscores the gravity of HRW’s concerns.

Cameroonian Law

The 1972 Constitution (Article 1) guarantees freedoms of expression and assembly. Law No. 90/052 prohibits excessive force by security agents.

International Obligations

As a UN member, Cameroon is bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Articles 19 (expression), 21 (assembly), and 7 (no torture). African Charter Article 62 requires states to prosecute violations. HRW urges compliance, potentially triggering UN Special Rapporteur probes.

Potential Accountability

Persistent abuses could invite International Criminal Court scrutiny under Rome Statute Article 7 (crimes against humanity), though Cameroon is not a party; universal jurisdiction applies in signatory states.

Conclusion

The Human Rights Watch Cameroon report on post-election killings and arrests exposes a critical erosion of democratic norms under President Paul Biya’s prolonged rule. While some protester violence occurred, the state’s disproportionate response—deadly force, mass detentions in abusive facilities—violates domestic and international law. HRW’s calls for investigations, releases, and fair trials offer a roadmap for accountability. For Cameroonians and the global community, this underscores the need for transparent elections and robust human rights protections to prevent further repression. Monitoring bodies like HRW play a vital role in amplifying voices and pressuring reforms.

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