Rights groups demand release of two babies jailed with mothers in Cameroon crisis zone
A coalition of human rights organizations is urgently calling for the immediate release of two infant girls, Laetisia and Sera, who have been held for a year in Bamenda Central Prison alongside their mothers. The babies, who are nearing their first birthdays, are detained solely because their mothers, Jocelyn Ndum and Blanche Yocnteh, are incarcerated. The mothers were arrested on June 24, 2025, in Ngoketunjia in the North-West region shortly after giving birth and are facing charges before the military court in Bamenda. The rights groups argue that the prolonged detention of the infants, who have no legal status justifying their confinement, violates children's rights. They are advocating for a review of the mothers' detention to secure the children's freedom, noting that the mothers have already made their first court appearance on June 18, 2026. Citing Cameroon's international legal commitments, the organizations are requesting the immediate release of the two girls, the release of their mothers, adherence to international child protection agreements, and a national discussion on caring for children affected by parental detention. This campaign, "No Babies Behind Bars," in its second phase launched in 2025, aims to influence public policy to prevent children from growing up in prison due to their parents' incarceration. The advocacy efforts are directed at Cameroonian authorities, African institutions, UN mechanisms, and international partners, with support from organizations including All Women Together, Mandela Center International, and New Human Rights USA.
The situation highlights a critical tension between national security imperatives and fundamental child welfare principles, particularly within conflict-affected regions. The prolonged detention of infants alongside their mothers, even without direct charges against the children, raises significant governance and legal process questions. It underscores the potential for systemic oversights where the rights of vulnerable populations, such as children of detained parents, may be inadequately addressed by existing legal frameworks or enforcement. This case prompts consideration of alternative detention policies and the establishment of robust legal mechanisms to protect children from the adverse consequences of their parents' legal entanglements, aligning with international child protection standards and fostering a more rights-respecting approach to justice, especially in the context of ongoing societal transformations.
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