The Cameroonian was arrested and detained by the Paul Biya government for attending a peaceful protest to demand a better future for her family and her country, Amnesty Internation said.
Amnesty International Nigeria has demanded the immediate release of Dorgelesse Nguessan, a Cameroonian single mother and hairdresser, who was sentenced to five years in prison for taking part in a protest.
C A M E R O O N: Dorgelesse Nguessan, a single mother and hairdresser from Cameroon, was arrested while attending a peaceful protest demanding a better future for her family and her country. Take action to free Dorgelesse now: https://t.co/y4bnLi2AG8
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) March 20, 2024
Making the demand on Friday, Amnesty said that Nguessan had been sentenced to five years in prison, despite always having dreamt of owning a thriving beauty institute.
“Two years ago, the single mother and hairdresser was just starting to expand her hairdressing business to include manicures,” it said.
Amnesty recalled that on September 22, 2020, Nguessan’s dream was shattered when she was arrested in Douala, Cameroon while attending a peaceful protest.
“This was the only protest she had ever attended. Dorgelesse was not politically active, but her concerns about the state of Cameroon’s economy led her to join the demonstrations,” the organisation said.
The organisation noted that when the peaceful protest began, security forces fired rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse protesters.
The organisation said, “As Dorgelesse turned into an alleyway, police followed her and fellow protesters and blocked them in. They arrested her and took her to a police station, where she was held in terrible conditions for exercising her right to free speech, in a cell with 22 other people.
“On 29 September 2020, Dorgelesse was transferred to Douala Central Prison, where she remains. She was charged with ‘insurrection, assembly, meetings, and public demonstrations’ and tried by a military court. She was sentenced to five years in prison on 7 December 2021.
“Dorgelesse is the breadwinner of her family. Her son has sickle cell anemia, and the family are struggling to pay for his medication. Dorgelesse and her family are desperate to be reunited.
“Dorgelesse had been imprisoned for 3.5 years just for protesting. We call on President Paul Biya to free Dorgelesse now.”
C A M E R O O N: Dorgelesse had been imprisoned for 3.5 years just for protesting. We call on @PR_Paul_BIYA to #FreeDorgelesse now. #Cameroon
pic.twitter.com/vyCsCGjwq3— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) March 21, 2024