Lunch session with Cameroonian women human rights defender

Date: 16-04-2026
Time: 12:00 - 02:00 PM, lunch will be provided
Location: The Hague (more information follows after signing up)

Only for NAP 1325 signatories and WO=MEN members 
 
Peace Brigades International and WO=MEN would like to invite you to a lunch session with Cameroon women human rights defender Cyrille Rolande Bechon. 
 
Cyrille Rolande Bechon is the Executive Director of Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme Cameroon Home - ndh-cameroun. NDH’s main mission is to promote, defend, and expand human rights in Cameroon. Cyrille advocates for political and legal reforms on fundamental rights and freedoms and the elimination of violence against women. Her work includes monitoring, documenting, and reporting human rights violations and strategic litigation. The organisation has led social media campaigns, and trained hundreds of local organisations and thousands of young people on citizenship, political participation, community engagement, and social cohesion. Additionally, they provide free legal assistance to victims of human rights violations. 

The Cameroonian government has a history of human rights violations, with particular concerns regarding freedom of speech and the protection of democratic processes. Since 1982, the government has systematically suppressed opposition, closed civic spaces, and imposed harsh restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. People voicing criticism against authorities are often prosecuted and threatened with restrictions on their right to freedom of movement.Activists and journalists have been intimidated by security forces and arbitrarily detained. Paul Biya’s re-election in 2025sparked protests that were met with lethal force and mass arrests of protestors and other citizens by the Cameroonian authorities. 
 
During the lunch session, Cyrille will discuss the Cameroon context including the shrinking of civic and democratic space, the restriction of public freedom and the situation of women human rights defenders. She will discuss her organisations’ work and the work she undertakes as a women’s rights advocate and the challenges she encounters. Cyrille is interested in networking and linking up with activists and human rights leaders and exchanging international experiences with the audience. 
 
We look forward to an interesting discussion and exchange! 
Please register with:Noortje Assink via n.assink@wo-men.nl.   
 
Deadline for registration: Wednesday 15 April at 1 pm