Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa

Symposium on Corruption & Human Rights Holds in Buea

By Roland Mbonteh (Originally published in Eden Newspaper)

Professor Kofele-Kale Wants Corruption Elevated to an International Crime.

The distinguished Professor of Law at the Southern Methodist University in the United States of America, USA, has posited that corruption should be elevated to the status of a crime in positive  international law and therefore  make the ill which he said diminishes the human race  have a universal jurisdiction.
 

Prof. Ndiva Kofele Kale made the statement recently while presenting a keynote address on "Economic crimes and International justice", during a symposium that focused on "Corruption and its Implications on Human Rights" organized by a Buea based NGO, Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA.

Symposium on Corruption & Human Rights: Welcome Address by CHRDA Executive Director

Welcome Address by Barrister Felix Agbor Nkongho, Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) on the Symposium on Corruption and Human Rights.

The Lord Mayor of Buea Rural Council, Dear panelist, The President of the Cameroon Bar Council, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA), I wish to welcome each and everyone to this Symposium on “Corruption and its Implications on Human Rights”. This symposium is a follow up of that organize by CHRDA in 2007 on Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Africa: The Role of Diplomacy, Judiciary, Press, National Human Rights Commission and The Church. The symposium today is part of the goal of CHRDA on education and Human Rights awareness.

Symposium on Corruption & Human Rights: Welcome Address by the Lord Mayor of Buea

Welcome Address by the Lord Mayor of Buea on the Occasion of a Symposium on "Corruption and its Implications on Human Rights, June 25, 2009.

- HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR, SOUTH WEST REGION.
- THE PRESIDENT, SOUTH WEST COURT OF APPEAL AND THE LEARNED ATTORNERY GENERAL.
- HONERABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
- MUNICIPAL, RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL AND TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES.
- DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

      It is a privilege moment for me on the behalf of the people of Buea to welcome you all and extend our greetings to every participant of this symposium on “CORRUPTION AND ITS IMPLICATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS” organized by the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa.

ECONOMIC CRIMES AND INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE: Elevating Corruption to the Status of a Crime in Positive International Law

A Keynote Address by Ndiva Kofele KALE, Esq.

Symposium on Corruption and its Implications for Human Rights
Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa
Alliance Franco-Camerounaise Center
Buea, 25 June, 2009

I. INTRODUCTION

In 2002 the Assembly of the African Union adopted the African Union Convention for Preventing and Combating Corruption; two years later in 2004 the first global anti-corruption instrument was adopted, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Six years separate this spate of international legislation and the adoption of the first comprehensive regional convention against official corruption in March 1996 by the Organization of American States (OAS). What, one may ask, explains this heightened global interest in combating official corruption and the push for the adoption of these key  multilateral instruments to assist in the war against corruption?

I will in my time before you (1) situate the problem of corruption, more precisely, indigenous spoliation, in both its African  and global contexts; (2) briefly discuss its effects on societies; (3) take a stab at making the case why it should be treated as an international economic crime in positive international law, more precisely, that is, a crime that shocks the conscience of humankind, and (4) propose a way forward.

Symposium on Corruption & Human Rights: Remarks by Clinton S. “Tad” Brown

Remarks by Clinton S. “Tad” Brown, Deputy Chief of the Political Section of the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon At the “Conference on Corruption and its Implications on Human Rights”. Alliance Franco-Camerounaise, Buea - Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Good morning.

Thank you for your warm welcome, and for the invitation to join you for this important conference. I am always looking for an excuse to travel out of Yaounde, especially when I have the opportunity to visit the South East Region, which boasts beautiful scenery and some of the most hospitable people I have had the pleasure to meet.

But it wasn’t the landscape or the opportunity to enjoy some grilled fish at Down Beach that motivated me to join you; it was the importance of the topic we are here to discuss, and, equally, the significance of the event itself.

First, the topic: corruption.  I do not need to tell you why it is so important.  It is at the center of every challenge—economic, social and security—that Cameroon confronts, and that the U.S. Government, as a partner to the Cameroonian people, must also address.

Political Corruption & Human Rights

By Prof. Tazoacha ASONGANYI (Paper presented at the seminar on "Corruption and its implications on Human Rights” organised by CHRDA in Buea, 25th June 2009).

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. Once more, welcome to this Seminar on a very topical issue in our community.

I would like to thank the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) for inviting me to participate in this Seminar. As my own contribution to this discussion, it seems to be my duty here to lead the discussion on “Political Corruption and Human Rights”.

You are aware that after a long human struggle, human beings now live in groupings called Counties that are organized into the state and society. It is the sovereign individuals that live in society that institute the state (government) and consent to its authority.

Symposium on Corruption & Human Rights - Corruption Under Cameroon Law

By Justice Mbah Acha Rose Fomundam (Vice President, Court of Appeal, South West Region, Cameroon).

Corruption is a general phenomenon and the definitions applied to corruption vary from country to country in accordance with cultural, legal or other factors and the nature of the problem as it appears in each country.

Black’s Law Dictionary, (7th Edition edited by Bryan A. Garner) defines the word “Corrupt” as,“Spoiled, tainted, vitiated, depraved, debased, morally degenerated. As used as a verb, to change ones morals and principles from good to bad.”

Corruption is defined as “the act of doing something with an intent to give some advantage inconsistent with official duty, and  the rights of others, a fiduciary’s or official’s use of situation or office to procure some benefits either personally or for some one else, contrary to the rights of others”.

CHRDA to Organize Symposium on Corruption and Human Rights

The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) is organizing a Symposium on “Corruption and its Implications on Human Rights” scheduled to take place on the 25th of June 2009 from 9 am – 6 pm at the Alliance Franco-Camerounaise in Buea.
  
The topics to be discussed include: Economic Crimes and International Justice, Political Corruption as a Human Rights Violation, Corruption under Cameroon Law, Corruption, Gender and Human Rights.

The speakers include Prof. Ndiva Kofele Kale of  Southern Methodist University; Justice Mrs. Rose Acha Mbah, South West Court of Appeal, Prof. Asonganyi, Former Secretary General of the SDF and Mr. Clinton Brown, Deputy Political and Economic Affairs Officer, US Embassy Yaounde.

Contact Info

Mr. Felix Agbor Nkongho
Executive Director
Email: nkongho@chrda.org Cameroon (Headquarters)

Box 524 Buea, Fako Division
Tel: 237-33026975
Fax:
Email: admin@chrda.org 

United States
1695 Graves rd, # 625
Norcross, GA 30093
Tel: 770-873-6110
Fax: 678-421-9901
Email:info@chrda.org

Information:
admin@chrda.org

About the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa

The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa (CHRDA) is an independent, nongovernmental, apolitical and non-profit making organization dedicated to the protection and advancement of human rights and the promotion of democracy as a political culture in Africa. It engages in different and sensitive issues related to the advancement of Human Rights and Democracy via a series of projects, and also seeks to foster research in these fields by offering opportunities to Human Rights activists, legal practitioners, graduate and undergraduate students to volunteer, intern and study at the Centre and its partner institutions. With offices in Africa, we help local activists, scholars, researchers in providing research facilities and creating a culture of respect of human rights and democracy.