Cameroonian Poet Sara Timb Contributes to Global Death Penalty Abolition Talks in France

Cameroonian poet and social entrepreneur Sara Timb recently participated in the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty held in Paris, France, in late June. As one of nine young global ambassadors selected for the event, she paid tribute to Robert Badinter, a key figure in abolishing the death penalty in France. Timb delivered a tribute in Tunen, a Cameroonian heritage language, during the opening ceremony at the Maison de la radio et de la musique, aiming to highlight Cameroon's cultural heritage to international attendees. Beyond the congress, she engaged in a private discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside another young ambassador and laureates of the Marianne initiative. Her contributions to this dialogue stemmed from her experiences and advocacy in Cameroon concerning the right to life, human rights promotion, youth engagement, and civil society's role in fostering just and dignified societies. Timb represented Cameroonian and African youth leaders in this global forum on justice and human dignity, viewing her participation as a moral and civic duty to honor her country and its youth. She expressed that the event offered an opportunity to share her Cameroonian-based advocacy and learn from human dignity advocates, returning home convinced that progress on major causes arises from the intersection of local experiences and international dialogue, particularly when global youth collaborate. The congress, organized by Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM) from June 30th to July 2nd, 2026, attracted approximately 1,300 delegates from 100 countries, including diplomats, civil society actors, politicians, magistrates, academics, and journalists, all united by the goal of promoting universal abolition of the death penalty and defending the right to life.