Equatorial Guinea’s recent human rights record is deeply troubling as the country appears to be undermining the independence of the legal profession.
Development Diaries reports that two lawyers, Gemma Jones and Angel Obama have been arbitrarily suspended for their efforts to defend human rights and speak out against injustices.
According to a report by Amnesty International, the institution has been misused in recent months to target the two human rights lawyers.
The report also revealed that the Bar Association, which is supposed to protect lawyers, has become a tool for political repression.
Suspending lawyers who advocate for an independent judiciary only proves that the country’s government is violating the very principles of the rule of law and access to justice, which are fundamental to upholding human rights.
There is clearly a pattern of using legal mechanisms to stifle dissent and prevent human rights defenders from performing their duties.
Equatorial Guinea’s obligation as a state party to international treaties, like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, requires it to uphold the independence of its judiciary and legal profession.
However, the actions against Jones and Obama show that the government is failing to honor these commitments.
Also, the close ties between the Bar Association’s leadership and the ruling government raise serious concerns about the lack of institutional independence, leaving lawyers defenseless against political retaliation.
Immediate action is needed to safeguard the rights of human rights lawyers in Equatorial Guinea.
International bodies, such as the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, need to intensify pressure on Equatorial Guinea to respect its obligations under human rights treaties.
Development Diaries calls on the government to rescind the unjust suspensions of Jones and Obama and ensure they can continue their work without fear of further harassment.
Additionally, Equatorial Guinea must take concrete steps to reform the Bar Association, ensuring that it operates independently of political influence, as mandated by international legal standards.
This is essential for the protection of legal professionals and also for guaranteeing that citizens have access to fair legal representation and justice.
Photo source: Amnesty International
