Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network ----------------------------------- Release of the 45 detainees survivors of Doublé and Magdémé by the Maroua Military Tribunal on the 13th of June 2017. PRESS RELEASE: Douala-Cameroon, the 10th of July 2017: The advocacy of REDHAC and its partners has borne fruit. On the 13th of June, 45 survivors of the villages of Madgémé and Doublé, in the Far North Region of Cameroon, suspected of being "Boko Haram" followers detained at the Central Prison of Maroua, were released as a result of a decision issued by the Military Court of Maroua. Reminder of facts: A sweep operation in two villages in the department of Mayo Sava (in the Far North region of Cameroon), Magdémé and Doublé following a Boko Haram’s attack on the 27th of December 2014 led to the arrest of about 130 people suspected of being followers of Boko Haram. Arrested and detained at the Central Prison of Maroua their trial opened on 21/11/2016. They were prosecuted for: "Secession, armed band, insurrection, murder, illegal port and detention of weapons and munitions of war". On the 29th of May 2017, the judges of the Military Court of Maroua started their deliberations and the case was adjourned to the 7th of June and then to the 13th of June 2017. On that date, the Tribunal declared them not guilty of all charges except one: "insurrection"; In addition, they had a sentence of 30 months but after balancing it with the time spent in prison, it became clear that they can no longer serve this sentence. Being acquitted, and unable to be prosecuted, they have been reunited with their respective families. Joseph Constantin BALLA, a lawyer at the Bar of Cameroon, in charge of their defense has appealed for the complete abandonment of all charges. Because according to him: "We must launder them". "NEVER GIVE UP"! The Central Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (REDHAC), which is closely following this case, thanks all the people and organizations that accompanied REDHAC in this battle, in particular: Barrister Joseph Constantin BALLA, Lawyer at the Bar of Cameroon, Lawyer of the 45 survivors; Amnesty International ...; The REDHAC recommends to the judicial authorities of the Military Court of the Far North Region: - The pure and simple abandonment of the sole charge against the 45 survivors; The REDHAC urges the State of Cameroon to: - Publish the lists of the missing and the dead in the cells of the gendarmerie and repair the damage caused to the victims; - Reveal the identity and the place of burial of the 25 persons whose death in custody was recognized by the government, through the Minister of Communication, Spokesman of the Government, Mr. Issa Tchiroma BAKARY, during a press conference on the 23rd of March 2015, in order to allow the families to mourn. Those 25 were among the persons arbitrarily arrested during the sweep operation on the 27th of December 2014; - Guarantee the right of families to truth, justice and reparation; - Ensure the social reintegration of the 45 survivors who have no resources. Made in Douala, the 10th of July 2017 1 .