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Unbreakable Spirit: Cameroun’s Fight for Justice with Cyrille Rolande Bechon

Journey into the heart of activism in Cameroun with Cyrille Rolande Bechon, a fearless human rights defender who stands resilient against systemic injustice and direct threats to her life’s work.

Episode Overview

In this powerful episode of the Women as Agents of Change podcast, Liza Florida connects with the indomitable Cyrille Rolande Bechon, Executive Director of Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme (New Human Rights) Cameroun. Cyrille shares her incredible journey from growing up in a large polygamous family, where she first learned to fight for her voice, to becoming a leading activist for democracy and human rights in her nation. She provides a raw, firsthand account of the pressing human rights violations in Cameroun, fueled by an authoritarian regime and widespread conflict.

This is a story of profound courage. Cyrille details the devastating physical and cyberattacks on her organization this year, which resulted in the loss of 15 years of work. Yet, through it all, her spirit remains unbroken. This conversation is a testament to the power of community, the crucial role of data-driven advocacy, and the unwavering passion that fuels activism even in the darkest of times.

Key Topics Covered

A Childhood of Defiance: Cyrille’s upbringing in a traditional, polygamous family and the pivotal moment she addressed her own father in a family meeting to assert her rights as a young girl.

Freedom of Speech as Survival: How personal life choices that defied societal norms forced her to develop a fierce commitment to her own voice and autonomy.

The State of Human Rights in Cameroun: An inside look at the country’s most urgent issues, including a decades-long authoritarian regime, the shrinking of civic space, torture in detention, the Anglophone crisis, and rampant violence against women.

Advocacy in Action: Cyrille’s strategy of using individual legal aid cases—like the exoneration of a man after 15 years of wrongful imprisonment—to expose systemic flaws and fuel data-driven advocacy for national reform.

Under Attack: A harrowing account of the recent break-in, vandalism, and theft that destroyed her organization’s office and 15 years of work, followed by a crippling cyberattack.

Unbreakable Resilience: How Cyrille and her team found the strength to return to their mission, motivated by an outpouring of local and international solidarity.

The Power of Solidarity: What solidarity looks and feels like on the ground, from messages from the community saying “Never give up” to support from international organizations.

A Vision for a New Cameroun: Cyrille’s dream for her country—a place where basic needs are met, justice prevails, and women and girls hold power in every sector of life.

Powerful Quotes from Cyrille Bechon

“Freedom of speech… become a matter of survival. You have to fight to have a place, you have to fight to be heard, you have to fight to make people accept my choices.”

“We are not employees, we are activists. We do this because we have a vision.”

“They took everything, but they didn’t take our passion. They didn’t take our heart on what we are doing.”

“While looking for relief for victim, we use those data to fuel the advocacy work.”

“Never give up. We need you.” (Message from the community after the attacks)

“My heart, my hands are open… It is our fight. It’s not others. It is the fight for our life.”

Watch Now on Youtube:

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Innovative Projects & Global Initiatives

Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme (NDH) Cameroun: Cyrille’s organization, which promotes and protects the rule of law and democratic principles. It provides legal aid to victims of violence and advocates for systemic reform.
Case-Based Advocacy: NDH’s core strategy of meticulously documenting individual human rights cases to create an undeniable evidence base, which is then used to pressure the justice system and advocate for legal and policy changes.
Community and Youth Engagement: Proactive work in universities, schools, and local communities to educate citizens on their rights and build grassroots support for democracy and justice, engaging with traditional and religious leaders to foster dialogue.

Connect with Cyrille Rolande Bechon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrille-rolande-bechon-a4425446/?originalSubdomain=cm
Nouveaux Droits de l’Homme Cameroun: https://ndhcameroun.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CRBechon/

Connect with Liza Florida

Instagram: @lizaflorida and @eightbillionproject
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eightbillionpodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-florida-07597119
Website: https://lizaflorida.com/

Special Thanks

To Cyrille Rolande Bechon for her incredible bravery, resilience, and unwavering dedication to building a more just and democratic Cameroun.

To the International Peace Bureau for their partnership and support for this podcast series. You can learn more about their work at https://ipb.org/ and see more on their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ipb1910/videos.

To human rights defenders everywhere who continue to fight for a more just world, often at great personal risk.

To our listeners, may this story inspire you to use your voice and remember the profound impact of solidarity.

About the Series

Women as Agents of Change is a special podcast series hosted by Liza Florida, presented in collaboration with the International Peace Bureau and Eight Billion Project. Each episode celebrates the wisdom, vision, and courage of women working to build a more peaceful and just world.

Tags: Women as Agents of Change, Eight Billion podcast, Cyrille Bechon, human rights, Cameroun, rule of law, democracy, gender justice, activism, shrinking civic space, authoritarianism, solidarity, resilience, advocacy, community engagement, peace, human rights defenders.

Empowering Change: Palestinian Women, Resilience, and Global Solidarity with Randa Siniora

Dive into a powerful conversation on human rights, resilience, and the fight for justice with Randa Siniora, a leading Palestinian feminist and human rights activist.

In this compelling episode of the Women as Agents of Change podcast, Liza Florida sits down with the incredibly insightful Randa Siniora, a Human Rights Defender and General Director of the Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counseling in Palestine. Randa shares her deeply personal journey, shaped by a legacy of displacement and a lifelong defiance of patriarchal norms. She discusses the critical intersection of colonial occupation and patriarchal structures, specifically how they disproportionately impact Palestinian women.

This isn’t just a conversation about activism; it’s a testament to unwavering persistence, the vital importance of global solidarity, and the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming odds.

The Peace Manifesto 2025

Twenty-five years ago, UNESCO initiated the Manifesto 2000 for a Culture of Peace and NonViolence. It was signed by 75 million people around the world in support of six commitments to the culture of peace.

Today, as global crises persist and intensify—from war and militarization to climate change and inequality—the Peace Manifesto 2025 calls for a renewed and unified effort to build a culture of peace.

IPB Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites: An Illegal Escalation

Berlin, June 22, 2025

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) strongly condemns the United States’ recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Carried out in coordination with Israel, these attacks are a dangerous escalation that violates both international law and the U.S. Constitution—and brings the region closer to a devastating war.

Under international humanitarian law, nuclear facilities are protected due to the catastrophic risks they pose to civilians and the environment. Targeting them is inhuman and illegal. There is no credible evidence that Iran is currently pursuing nuclear weapons—U.S. intelligence has confirmed this repeatedly. Military action under these circumstances has no legal justification.

Domestically, the strikes also violate the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress—not the President—the authority to declare war. Launching attacks without Congressional approval contradicts both the War Powers Resolution and the principles of democratic oversight.

This is more than a legal issue—it is a matter of global security. Attacking nuclear infrastructure risks the release of radioactive materials, retaliatory strikes, and rapid regional escalation. The consequences could be catastrophic—not just for Iran and the Middle East, but for the world. The USA and Iran should cease hostilities and return to serious, long-term negotiations.

NATO members must not follow a U.S. president who acts unlawfully, even within his own constitutional system. They have a responsibility to uphold international law and prevent escalation—not enable it. Silence or complicity only deepens the crisis.

There is no military solution to this crisis. IPB calls for an immediate end to all military operations, respect for international law, and return to diplomacy. Peace and common security can only be achieved through cooperation, not weapons.

Statements are available in English, French, and Russian. Check it below:

Statement in English

Statement IPB Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites Download

Statement in French

FR Déclaration IPB sur les attaques US contre l’Iran 22 juin 2025 Download

Statement in Russian

IPB statement (Russian Version) from Oleg Download

Promoting Global Peace and Nuclear Disarmament: Reiner Braun Meets with His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Reiner Braun, German journalist, historian, renowned peace activist, and former Executive Director of the International Peace Bureau (IPB), was recently honored with a private audience with His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), the Fifth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

NATO’S 3.5% SPENDING GOAL: UNSUSTAINABLE ON EVERY COUNT

Issue Briefing – June 2025

A new analysis released during the NATO summit in the Netherlands by the Transnational Institute, Tipping Point North South, and Stop Wapenhandel, reveals that NATO’s growing military build-up is severely undermining global climate goals and diverting critical resources away from climate and social investment.

Since 2021, NATO member states have increased their combined military spending by 25%, reaching US $1.5 trillion. This rise has contributed to an estimated 40% increase in the Alliance’s carbon emissions—from 196 million to 273 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. In 2024 alone, European NATO members and Canada recorded their steepest annual spending increase in decades at 17.9%.

EBCO New Annual Report on Conscientious Objection In Europe

A Call to Safeguard the Right to Refuse to Kill and Resist Wars

Read the full report here or browse by country.

EBCO’s 2024 Annual Report on Conscientious Objection to Military Service in Europe is released at a time of escalating global militarisation. From the revival of conscription in Europe to the devastating impacts of ongoing wars, the protection and empowerment of conscientious objectors is more urgent than ever.

Empowering Change: Trauma Healing and Resilience with Esset Samatova

Explore the powerful intersection of trauma healing, human rights, and social change in this profound conversation with psychologist and poet Esset Samatova.

In this episode of the Women as Agents of Change podcast, Liza Florida sits down with the insightful Esset Samatova—a Santo psychologist, human rights strategist, and poet. Esset shares her journey from a ninth-grade fascination with psychology to the front lines of activism, where she pioneers a unique approach integrating trauma healing into the core of social change. She discusses the critical need to address both individual and systemic trauma, the mentors who shaped her path, and her work with the UN Minority Fellowship.

Statement On the Israeli Military Strikes on Iran – A Call for Restraint, Diplomacy, and Nuclear Disarmament

13 June | Statement by the International Peace Bureau (IPB)

The International Peace Bureau strongly condemns today’s large-scale Israeli military assault on Iranian territory. This operation, which reportedly struck nuclear enrichment sites—including Natanz—ballistic missile facilities, and military leadership compounds, marks a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.

Civilian infrastructure has also been impacted, with casualties reported in residential areas. Iran has responded by launching a wave of drone strikes and has withdrawn from planned diplomatic talks on its nuclear programme. These events mark a critical deterioration of regional stability and significantly heighten the risk of a broader war.

This attack comes at a time when Iran is not currently assessed by international watchdogs, including the IAEA, to be pursuing nuclear weapons, though recent IAEA findings highlight a growth in Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile However, actions like these dangerously empower voices that argue nuclear deterrence is necessary for national survival. In that way, the strike may perversely encourage proliferation rather than prevent it.

Israel, widely believed to possess approximately 90 nuclear warheads, remains the only nuclear-armed state in the region. Its continued refusal to acknowledge its arsenal or engage in nuclear disarmament efforts stands in stark contrast to global non-proliferation goals.

IPB warns that targeting nuclear facilities—regardless of intent—carries catastrophic risks, both from direct damage and from the precedent it sets. Attacks on nuclear infrastructure undermine international norms and endanger the very safeguards designed to prevent nuclear catastrophe.
This moment must not become a tipping point.

IPB calls for:

An immediate halt to all offensive military operations.
The resumption of diplomatic talks addressing Iran’s nuclear activities.
Renewed international commitment to a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.
The urgent need for all states—including Israel and Iran—to join and implement the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

We urge the international community to reject further militarization, uphold international law, and invest in a diplomatic path that promotes disarmament, human security, and enduring peace.

IPB Press Release Download

Declare Neutrality and Help Prevent a U.S.-China War

Preamble:

Pacific and Pacific Rim countries are increasingly taking sides, or under pressure to take sides, in the growing confrontation between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China and are being urged to spend an increasing proportion of their public income on militarisation, to the detriment of addressing urgent social needs. A war between the USA and its allies against the People’s Republic of China and its allies would be disastrous for the people of the Pacific and Pacific Rim countries. Our survival depends upon preventing nuclear war and preserving our cultures and environments from irreversible destruction.

We, the Peoples of the Pacific and Pacific Rim countries, urgently call on each of our governments to adopt a neutral position, committing to reduce the likelihood and the scale of a U.S.-China war. Our governments should reaffirm existing maritime neutrality laws, implement country-specific neutrality policies, and refuse to participate in military escalation on any side.