A Look at Challenges to the Effective Implementation of Safeguard to Fair Trial and Justice under the Cameroonian Criminal Justice System

Fair trial as a principle which ensures the administration of justice is guaranteed in the constitutions of every democratic society. The right to fair trial is an essential right in all countries respecting the rule of law. Fair trial and justice constitute the back bone of all applicable procedures and substantial laws almost in every legal culture. This means that fair trial should be perceived as a “human right” issue and therefore an international concern which should comply and be measured by international norms. This paper aims at analyzing the challenges faced in the effective implementation of the safeguard to fair trial and Justice in Cameroon. The Cameroon criminal justice system has all necessary provisions aimed at safeguarding fair trial and ensuring a horizontal playing field where justice is been maintained. However, the question remains how effective does these laws safeguard the right to fair trial and Justice. The mechanisms put in place to ensure the safeguard to fair trial and justice is insufficient, ineffective and unsuitable in guaranteeing the safeguard to fair trial and justice. In the absence of fair trial and justice, the rule of law, human rights and consequently the idea of justice becomes illusionary.