Of Burning Flags and Inhumane Bunkers

Of Burning Flags and Inhumane Bunkers.

This may come as a big surprise to many Francophone Cameroonians. But the fact of the matter remains that in most liberal democracies like Canada, flag burning is not a criminal offense. In fact there is no law in Canada that prohibits or punishes flag desecration. Rather it is viewed as a legitimate expression of anger and frustration with government.

Without prejudice to the principle of extra-territoriality, the recent burning of the Cameroon flag by the some Ambazonian activists at the Cameroon High Commission in Ottawa should be understood within this broader context.No matter how disgusting or how reprehensible flag burning may be to some of our Francophone compatriots, it is still important to remember that in the eyes of the host government, no crime was committed in Ottawa on that day

That is why I consider some of the anger and vituperation coming from some Cameroonians over the issue somewhat misplaced. The Ottawa incident took place soon after a video emerged of some 12 innocent Anglophone Cameroonians being held under what is clearly inhumane conditions in an underground bunker at the Gendarmerie General Headquarters. We also have over 200 known anglophone detainees, several dead recorded in the two anglophones regions, brutality and rape and over 24 young men missing till date. I don’t remember seeing the rage and the anger that i now see over the flag issue. Suddenly some later day patriots have emerged, vowing to protect “their flag”.

You know, there is something profoundly wrong with us as a nation and as a people, when we are quick to condemn the desecration of a “state symbol” and yet less inclined to speak up against the bestiality, injustices and gross human rights violations being perpetrated by agents of the same State against its innocent citizens. Yet they claim the pressure on school resumption is for the good of the said Children. Now we know it’s for protection of national emblames. I may not support or participate in the burning of a flag but the reaction to is disproportionate!!!

Nelson Mandela once said the level of “civilization” of a nation can only be truly measured in the way it treats its prisoners/detainees.

With what we recently saw coming from the dungeons of SED, need I say more? Please share with those protecting their flag. Let them know that the best way to protect their flag is hands off the people burning it in public. Free them so that they can form a state of theirs and burning up their own flag since they are suffering from pyromania. The effect will be on them alone

It is important to note that flag burning is not new. It has been happening in other countries and it will continue to happen

JMA