The Hague-based Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) has received disturbing reports that heavily armed police and gendarmes, a military unit, from La Republique du Cameroun raided a press conference hosted by the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC).

On 20 January 2007, the Southern Cameroons National Council (SCNC) gathered some 300 members of the Southern Cameroons community, along with journalists and human rights activists, for a press conference in Bamenda, Southern Cameroons . Their aim was to publicise the recent achievements of their Vice Chairman Mr. Nfor Ngala Nfor, whose recent overseas mission returned the deteriorating human rights conditions in the region to the international stage.

Shortly after the beginning of the press conference, the location was raided by armed officers of the Gendarmerie and Divisional Officers from the Mezam region. Witnesses report the detention of all 300 attendants, as officers sought to identify and detain members of the SCNC. Their use of excessive force is well documented, and resulted in a large number of injuries to SCNC members, as well as unaffiliated civilians. Identified members of the SCNC were subsequently loaded into armed security vehicles and taken away. Their pre

SCNC Vice Chairperson Mr. Nfor Ngala Nfor was arrested, severely beaten, and transported to an undisclosed location. As a focal point of international attention, his safety in particular is of utmost concern.

Other SCNC officials and activists also remain in detention under what are reportedly deplorable conditions: Mbinglo H. Humphrey (65), Chairman, Northern Zone; Stephen Kongso (45), Bui County Chairman; Henry Lamnyam (35), Secretary, Donga Mantung County; Achu Njie David (56), Organising Secretary, Mezam County; Mongo Stephen (43), Activist, Bamenda; Che Ngwa Lucas (59), Activist; Madame Mbi Ann Rita (60), Activist, Kumba; Augustine Elimtum (33), Activist; Clement Atanga (60), Activist; Dr. Tantoh Simon (65), National Information Desk; Mami Mbiwan Anna (75), Adviser, Kumba; Lawrence Nyuydze (35), Activist, Bamenda; Augustine Shintum, Activist, Kumba.

UNPO unreservedly condemns this clear and unabashed breach of the human rights of those working peacefully for the betterment of the people of Southern Cameroons , and in particular the persecution of the SCNC, a Member representative organ of UNPO.

UNPO has made extensive appeals for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, and for the protection of their right to continue activities in peaceful pursuit of human rights for the people of Southern Cameroons .