Abstract

This research aims to elucidate why the safeguarding of human rights and essential liberties continues to pose a challenge in Cameroon, regardless of whether the context is peaceful or conflictual. The constitution claims to uphold and cater to these rights {political, economic, and civil rights}, suggesting a certain level of commitment to their realization. However, the mechanisms established for their safeguarding have restricted the degree to which effective protection can be accomplished. The national human rights body can play a crucial role in the defense and advancement of human rights.

This initiative must begin with a sincere governmental commitment supported by efficient and appropriate implementation measures. In this regard, the research was steered by the following goals: to identify and elucidate some of the documented human rights violations in Cameroon – Meme division, to examine the factors that contribute to these human rights infringements, and to evaluate the challenges encountered in the enforcement of international human rights treaty provisions in Cameroon.

The study employs the positivist theory, which argues that individuals, particularly judges tasked with protecting and defending the rights of citizens, base their decisions on established conventions such as constitutional laws. The structural functionalism theory suggests that social change is a responsive adjustment to certain tensions within social structures.

It shows how each part of the society are interrelated each contributing to the wellbeing of the society. The researcher used the qualitative research design and interviews and observations were employed for data collection with purposive sampling technique and a sample size of 10 interviewees.

Findings indicates that numerous rights are abused and  measures or steps are taken by the government in addressing the human right situations in Cameroon; Meme division but not been adequate enough due to some reasons or factors such as economic , political marginalisation, existence of civil war  and others examined in the study and challenges encountered in implementing human right laws, treatise for the protection and promotion of these rights as well as prevention from further violations. More so, the effectiveness of the enforcement mechanisms of the constitution for the actual practice of human rights protection, promotion, and prevention.