Joe Dinga Pefok (Uncle Joe)
“Silence In The Face Of Injustice In Not Only A Crime, But Complacent. When We Know That Women Are Being Abused, Threatened, Or Killed, And Choose To Remain Indifferent, We Fail In Our Collective Responsibility To Protect Human Life And Dignity”, The CEO Has Warned. Civil Society Groups Salute Peace Crusader And Human Rights Advocate, NICO HALLE, For His Service, Sacrifice And Enduring Commitment To Justice And Peace.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of BUTFON Human Rights Watch with Headquarters in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon, Mundoh Walter, has in the face of the persistent rise of violence against women (gender based violence),as well as rise in femicide cases, in the country, warned that we must not allow violence against women (gender based violence), to become normalized in our society. “We must not allow our homes to become places of fear, suffering and death”.
The CEO of BOTFON Human Rights Watch was speaking at a workshop which took place at the conference room of the NICO HALLE & CO LAW FIRM in Douala on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The event was also meant to formally present the “Cameroon Multi –Stakeholders Engagement and Action for Ending Femicide (CAM SAFE Project)”, to the renowned International Peace Crusader and Human Rights Advocate, Sir Dr Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle, who hosted the workshop. Worth noting that Halle is also engaged in the Fight against Corruption (including Embezzlement), Hate Speech, Xenophobia, and other forms of moral decadence in the society. The October 15 event in Douala was also a form of working session between the CAM –SAFE Consortium and the NICO HALLE & CO LAW FIRM.
Promoting Safety, Protecting Vulnerable Persons
The Douala event hosted by Sir Dr Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle, brought together representatives of a number of civil society organizations from Yaounde, Buea, Bamenda, Limbe, Tiko, and of course Douala itself, that are engaged in the CAM – SAFE Project, under the leadership of BOTFON Human Rights Watch. As the CEO of BOTFON Human Right s Watch, Mundoh Walter, explained, the Douala event was also an occasion for the CAM SAFE Project, “to raise a serious alarm, and present a petition, to the Government of Cameroon, through our fellow citizens and relevant national institutions, as well as to the international community, concerning the alarming reports of femicide and gender based violence in our country”.
The CEO of BOTFON Human Rights Watch said the CAM SAFE Project comes within a broader commitment to promoting safety, protecting vulnerable persons, and building a society in which every woman lives without fear of violence. “We believe that preventing femicide and gender – based violence, requires the collective efforts of government, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, the legal profession, the media, civil society, families, and individuals. No single organization can win this battle alone”, he asserted.
Marriage Ought To Be A Sanctuary Of Love, Companionship.
The CEO of BOTFON Human Rights Watch, Mundoh W alter, expressed deep concern that reports by the Cameroonian media, civil society organizations and actors, as well as by other institutions, show that the lives of women are increasingly threatened by acts of violence, including violence perpetrated by their intimate partners, with quite a number of cases ending up in femicide. He cited reports which indicate that that close to 80 women lost their lives in Cameroon over a period of six months, this year, with cases involving physical violence and alleged poisoning.
“Marriage, which ought to be a sanctuary of love, companionship, mutual respect, and happiness – paradise on earth, as the celebrated English writer Geoffrey Chaucer suggest in the Canterbury Tales – must never become a slaughterhouse”, the CEO of BOTFON Human Rights Watch, warned. He added that the disturbing reports of women losing their lives following attacks by their spouses or intimate partners, demand urgent attention. “These are deeply troubling reports that must be taken seriously. Every life lost represents a human being, a family in mourning, and a community deprived of a daughter, a mother, a sister, or a friend”, Mundoh pointed out. He said it was on this premise that BUTFON Human Rights Watch, in collaboration with other civil society organizations, is taking the lead in raising its voice against this grave social ill – femicide.
Cameroon Bar Association, The Press, Community Leaders, Traditional Leaders Etc
Mundoh Walter, launched a call by the CAM – SAFE Project, for the Cameroon Bar Association, the press, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious authorities, civil society organizations, public institutions, and every well – meaning citizen, to stand up and condemn in very strong terms, all forms of femicide, domestic violence, and discrimination against women. He quickly added that it should not end at condemnation only. “We must move beyond condemnation and embrace concrete action. We need stronger public awareness, effective reporting mechanisms, timely interventions, access to justice for survivors, and accountability for perpetrators. We must also encourage communities to challenge harmful attitudes and practices that expose women and girls to violence”, Mundoh urged.
Conflict And Insecurity Heightens Risks Of Abuse, Exploitation
The CEO of BOTFON Human Rights Watch said the call for action is not an isolated initiative. He explained that the call for action, builds upon work that his organization has previously done, for example, in partnership with, SAVE OUR PRIDE.
“In 2021, our organization collaborated in organizing a workshop in Limbe, in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, to train human rights monitors, predominantly women, to monitor and report cases of gender -based violence in the two English speaking regions affected by the ongoing armed conflict. The initiative recognized a fundamental truth in situations of conflict and insecurity – women and girls often face heightened risks of abuse, exploitation, and other violations of their fundamental rights”, Mundoh recalled.
Silence In The Face Of Injustice
The CEO of BOTFON Human Rights Watch, Mundoh Walter, in his address further warned that: “Silence in the face of injustice is not only a crime, but complacent. When we know that women are being abused, threatened, or killed and choose to remain indifferent, we fail in our collective responsibility to protect human life and dignity”. Mundoh asserted that there can be no lasting peace without justice, and that there can be no meaningful justice where human life is treated as disposable. He quoted the iconic Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr, who reminded the world, that: “Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere“.
Mundoh Walter said these words of Martin Luther King Jr, remain as relevant to Cameroon today as they were when they were first spoken. He stressed the fact that an injustice committed against one woman is not merely a private or family matter, but rather a challenge to our shared humanity, as well as to the values upon which a peaceful society must be built. “Let us, therefore, transform our words into action, our concern into commitment, and our solidarity into practical measures that protect women and girls”, he urged.
Thankful To Nico Halle For Lending Voice To The Downtrodden, Marginalized And Voiceless People
Meanwhile, the first part of the address that was presented by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BOTFON Human Rights Watch, Mundioh Walter, focused on paying tribute to the renowned International Peace Crusader and distinguished Human Rights Advocate, Sir Dr Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle, for his enormous sacrifice, and enduring commitment to justice and peace. Mundoh paid the tribute to Nico Halle on behalf of the BOTFON Human Rights Watch in particular, and all the civil society groups (the Consortium) that are members of the CAM –SAFE Project.
Mundoh Walter noted that the Crusade for Peace and Justice, which Nico Halle has been engaged in for over 30 years, is no ordinary journey. “It is a noble and demanding path that few Cameroonians would dare to pursue with such consistency and determination”, he stated.
Mundoh made allusion to the SIR DR BARRISTER NTUMFOR NICO HALLE AWARD GALLERY, which today, counts a record number of 212 national and international distinctions, and awards, that Nico Halle has received. He observed that Nico Halle’s remarkable commitment to justice and peace, has earned him recognitions and awards from the Cameroon press, civil society organizations and other national and international organizations and institutions. “These recognitions are a testament to your outstanding contributions to our society, and your unwavering dedication to the cause of humanity”,Mundoh told Halle.
Nico Halle’s Service, Sacrifice, And Enduring Committed To Justice And Peace
Mundoh Wlater saluted Sir Dr Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle’s service, his sacrifice, and his enduring Commitment to justice and peace. “Big Brother, Sir, we thank you sincerely for consistently lending your voice to the downtrodden, the marginalized, and the voiceless people of Cameroon. Whenever you have an opportunity, you have continued to demonstrate courage and conviction. Your commitment in placing God first in your endeavors has helped to shape your public image as an incorruptible lawyer, Mr Clean”, Mundoh remarked.
The civil society consortium for the CAM – SAFE Project, was thankful to Nico Halle, for accepting to lend his distinguished patronage to this important initiative, as well as his acceptance to host the October 15, 2026 workshop. “Sir Dr Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle, we thank Almighty God for granting you the strength, wisdom, courage, and perseverance to remain on the path of justice, integrity, and peace building in our country for more than three decades”, the civil society consortium declared through Mundoh Walter.
