Cameroonian Gov't Violating Rights in Crackdown on Boko Haram Supporters

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Cameroonian government and security forces are making arbitrary arrests and torturing supporters of Islamist militant group Boko Haram in the Far North region of the country, an international rights group said in a report Thursday, calling for an end to such practices.

"In seeking to protect its population from the brutality of Boko Haram, Cameroon is pursuing the right objective; but in arbitrarily arresting, torturing and subjecting people to enforced disappearances the authorities are using the wrong means," Amnesty International said in a report.

The aim of the report is to paint a picture of the measures the government has taken against Boko Haram supporters.

"More than 1,000 people, many arrested arbitrarily, are being held in horrific conditions and dozens are dying from disease and malnutrition or have been tortured to death, as part of the Cameroonian government and security forces crackdown on Boko Haram," the report reads.

The watchdog calls on the Cameroonian government to stop the abuse and implement a set of measures to prevent human rights violations in the fight against Boko Haram.

Boko Haram has been active in northeastern Nigeria since 2009. Last year, the group expanded its attacks into Niger, Cameroon and Chad. In March 2015, it pledged allegiance to Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and many other countries.