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Research Paper | Law | Cameroon | Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023
An Appraisal of False Confession within the Criminal Justice System of Cameroon
Abstract: Confessions play a critical role in the criminal justice system of Cameroon. Self- incriminations are often the determining factor influencing case outcomes in both public and private sector. However, confessions, like many other aspects of our justice system, can be fraught with errors. At worst, false confessions have been used to convict and punish the innocent. The question is, why would an innocent person confess to a crime they did not commit? A number of factors may be contributing to this paradoxical problem. In understanding the legal implications of the incidence of false confession within the criminal justice system of Cameroon, this article examines the role Cameroon lawsplay in tackling the issue of false confessions, bringing out the variouslegal instruments, principles, and case law that address this phenomenon. Through an analysis of key international human rights instruments,Cameroon adheres to such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Torture.The article highlights the legal protections enshrined to safeguard individuals from coerced or involuntary confessions. It further discusses the importance of implementing safeguards during interrogations, training law enforcement personnel, and establishing independent oversight mechanisms to prevent and rectify false confessions. Finally, this paper points out the position of Cameroonian Laws, whether the desire of the government to maintain a certain degree of fair trial has been attained. By illuminating the role of Cameroonian laws in mitigating this issue, the article contributes to the ongoing efforts in creating fair and equitable criminal justice systems that uphold the fundamental rights of all individuals in the country.
Keywords: Confessions, false confession, Justice, Criminal Justice System, Cameroon, Criminal procedure
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 12, December 2023,
Pages: 1976 - 1983