Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.
Trump's Air Force One lands in Tel Aviv

HRW asks Cameroon to protect prisoners from cholera outbreak

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Apr 2022 11:21
2 Min Read

Human Rights Watch says at least six inmates in Cameroon's second-largest jail have died from cholera since March.

  • x
  • HRW pointed out that Cameroon has an obligation to ensure all detainees are held in humane and dignified conditions
    HRW pointed out that Cameroon has an obligation to ensure all detainees are held in humane and dignified conditions.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday asked Cameroon to protect prisoners from a cholera outbreak, saying at least six inmates had died in the country's second-largest jail since March.

According to Cameroon's Health Minister, 105 people have died in the outbreak since October.

The disease has been identified in six of the country's 10 regions, including the troubled South-West, where the health system has been severely affected by the violent crisis between government forces and armed groups.

"At least six inmates in Cameroon's second largest jail, the New Bell prison in Douala, have died since March," Human Rights Watch confirmed in a statement.

"The latest victim, 30-year-old political prisoner Rodrigue Ndagueho Koufet, died on April 7," it said.

HRW warned that "the death toll could rise substantially in the overcrowded facility which currently houses about 4,700 prisoners, four times its capacity -- most of whom are in pretrial detention, in violation of international norms."

Related News

WHO warns of alarming rise in antibiotic-resistant infections

Cholera outbreak in Sudan affects 113,600+, kills 3000+

"Hygienic conditions are deplorable" 

Cholera is an acute form of diarrhea that is treatable with antibiotics and hydration but can kill within hours if left untreated.

It is caused by a germ that is typically transmitted by poor sanitation. People become infected when they swallow food or water carrying the bug.

A man that was held in the same cell as Koufet told Human Rights Watch, "We are 50 squeezed in a 9 square meters cell. There's no drinking water, and the hygienic conditions are deplorable." 

Between 1.3 & four million cases around the world

Outbreaks occur periodically in Cameroon. The last epidemic was between January and August 2020, when 66 people died.

The World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that in early 2021, there were between 1.3 million and four million cases of cholera per year around the world, leading to between 21,000 and 143,000 deaths.

"This cholera outbreak shows how quickly abysmal prison conditions become life-threatening," HRW considered.

The human rights group pointed out that "Cameroon has an obligation under international law to ensure all detainees are held in humane and dignified conditions and to guarantee their right to health."

  • World Health Organization
  • Africa
  • Human Rights Watch
  • Cameroon
  • Cholera

Most Read

Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Freed Palestinian prisoners carry rifles as they arrive in the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli jails, outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian resistance remains steadfast, victorious Larijani says

Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Laffan inspecting the command structure of the 10th Infantry Brigade in Kfarskhna-Zgharta on October 13, 2025. (Lebanonese Army)
Politics

Lebanese Army chief: Israeli aggression threatens Lebanon's security

Hamas fighters escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arriving in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli jails, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025 (AP)
Politics

154 Palestinian prisoners exiled to Egypt under exchange deal

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives before US President Donald Trump addresses the Knesset, Israel's parliament, Monday, October 13, 2025 in Occupied Al-Quds. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)
Politics

Netanyahu withdraws from Sharm el-Sheikh summit amid regional pushback

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS