Protection of the right to name of natural persons

The right to a name in Cameroon is a given because it marks the legal existence of the natural person. However, with regard to the modes of attribution and use that result from it, one observation is obvious. The name is subject to whimsical manipulations, which undermines the dignity of natural persons. Protection of the right to a name is the result of two mechanisms: administrative and jurisdictional protection. The first is based on the action of the civil registrar and his secretary. This is done through their daily tasks, which are the keeping of civil status records, their control, and the verification of related entries. As for the second, it requires the action of the jurisdictional authority. In this context, the president of the Court of First Instance and the public prosecutor ensure the effectiveness of the protection of the right to a name through the civil and criminal sanctions that result from the pronouncement of court decisions in this area. This book targets both legal practitioners and policy makers, as it highlights a "poor relation" of the law in Cameroon that deserves special attention.