The Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon - 1996.pdf

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Law No. 96-06 of 18 January 1996 to amend the Constitution of 2 June 1972
The National Assembly has deliberated and adopted;
The President of the Republic hereby enacts the law set out below:
CONSTITUTION
of the Republic of Cameroon
PREAMBLE
We, the people of Cameroon,
Proud
of our linguistic and cultural diversity, an enriching feature of our national identity, but
profoundly aware of the imperative need to further consolidate our unity, solemnly declare that we
constitute one and the same Nation, bound by the, same destiny, and assert our firm, determination to
build the Cameroonian Fatherland on the basis of the ideals of fraternity, justice and progress;
Jealous
of our hard-won independence and resolved to preserve same; convinced that the salvation of
Africa lies in forging ever-growing bonds of solidarity among African Peoples, affirm our desire to
contribute to the advent of a united and free Africa, while maintaining peaceful and brotherly relations
with the other nations of the World, in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Charter of the
United Nations;
Resolved to harness our natural resources in order to ensure the well-being of every citizen without
discrimination, by raising living standards, proclaim our right to development as well as our
determination to devote all our efforts to that end and declare our readiness to co-operate with all States
desirous of participating in this national endeavour with due respect for our sovereignty and the
independence of the Cameroonian State.
We, people of Cameroon,
Declare
that the human person, without distinction as to race, religion, sex or belief, possesses
inalienable and sacred rights;
Affirm
our attachment to the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the Charter of the United Nations and The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and
all duly ratified international conventions relating thereto, in particular, to the following principles:
- all persons shall have equal rights and obligations. The State shall provide all its citizens with the
conditions necessary for their development;
- the State shall ensure the protection of minorities and shall preserve the rights of indigenous
populations in accordance with the law;
- freedom and security shall be guaranteed to each individual, subject to respect for the rights of others
and the higher interests of the State;
- every person shall have the right to settle in any place and to move about freely, subject to the statutory
provisions concerning public law and order, security and tranquillity;
- the home is inviolate. No search may be conducted except by virtue of the law;
- the privacy of all correspondence is inviolate. No interference may be allowed except by virtue of
decisions emanating from the Judicial Power;
- no person may be compelled to do what the law does not prescribe;
- no person may be prosecuted, arrested or detained except in the cases and according to the manner
determined by law;
- the law may not have retrospective effect. No person may be judged and punished, except by virtue of
a law enacted and published before the offence committed;
- The law shall ensure the right of every person to a fair hearing before the courts;
- every accused person is presumed innocent until found guilty during a hearing conducted in strict
compliance with the rights of defence;
- every person has a right to life, to physical and moral integrity and to humane treatment in all
circumstances. Under no circumstances shall any person be subjected to torture, to cruel, inhumane or
degrading treatment;
- no person shall be harassed on grounds of his origin, religious, philosophical or political opinions or
beliefs, subject to respect for public policy;
- the State shall be secular. The neutrality and independence of the State in respect of all religions shall
be guaranteed;
- freedom of religion and worship shall be guaranteed;
- the freedom of communication, of expression, of the press, of assembly, of association, and of trade
unionism, as well as the right to strike shall be guaranteed under the conditions fixed by law;
- the Nation shall protect and promote the family which is the natural foundation of human society. It
shall protect women, the young, the elderly and the disabled;
- the State shall guarantee the child's right to education. Primary education shall be compulsory. The
organization and supervision of education at all levels shall be the bounden duty of the State;
- ownership shall mean the right guaranteed to every person by law to use, enjoy and dispose of
property. No person shall be deprived thereof, save for public purposes and subject to the payment of
compensation under conditions determined by law;
- the right of ownership may not be exercised in violation of the public interest or in such a way as to be
prejudicial to the security, freedom, existence or property of other persons;
- every person shall have a right to a healthy environment. The protection of the environment shall be
the duty of every citizen. The State shall ensure the protection and improvement of the environment;
- every person shall have the right and the obligation to work;
- every person shall share in the burden of public expenditure according to his financial resources;
- all citizens shall contribute to the defence of the Fatherland:
- the State shall guarantee all citizens of either sex the rights and freedoms set forth in the Preamble of
the Constitution.
Part One
The State and Sovereignty
Article one
(1) The United Republic of Cameroon shall, with effect from the date of entry into force of this law, be
known as Republic of Cameroon (Law No 84-1 of 4 February 1984).
(2) The Republic of Cameroon shall be a decentralized unitary State.
It shall be one and indivisible, secular, democratic and dedicated to social service.
It shall recognize and protect traditional values that conform to democratic principles, human rights and
the law.
It shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law.
(3) The official languages of the, Republic of Cameroon shall be English and French, both languages
having the same status. The State shall guarantee the promotion of bilingualism throughout the country.
It shall endeavour to protect and promote national languages.
(4) Its motto shall be " Peace-Work-Fatherland".
(5) Its flag shall be three equal vertical stripes of green, red and yellow charged with one gold star in the
centre of the red stripe.
(6) Its national anthem shall be "O Cameroon, Cradle of our Forefathers".
(7) The seal of the Republic of Cameroon shall be a circular medallion in bas-relief, 46 millimetres in
diameter, bearing on the obverse and in the centre the head of girl in profile turned to the dexter towards
a coffee branch with two leaves and flanked on the sinister by five cocoa pods, with the French words R?
publique du Cameroun" inscribed below the upper edge and the national motto "Paix-Travail-Patrie"
inscribed above the lower edge; on the reverse and in the centre the coat of arms of the Republic of
Cameroon, with the English words " Republic of Cameroon " inscribed beneath the upper edge and the
national motto " Peace-Work-Fatherland " inscribed above the lower edge.
The coat of arms of the Republic of Cameroon shall be an escutcheon surmounted chief by the legend
"Republic of Cameroon" and supported by two crossed fasces with the motto " Peace-Work-Fatherland "
base.
The escutcheon shall be composed of a star on a field vent and triangle gules, charged with the
geographical outline of Cameroon azure, and surcharged with the sword and scales of justice sable.
(8) The Capital of the Republic of Cameroon shall be Yaounde.
Article 2
(1) National sovereignty shall be vested in the people of Cameroon w ho shall exercise same either

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