Cameroon: Gay Man Imprisoned for Two Years Without Trial

More disturbing news from the Cameroon, where gay men are routinely subjected to legal ordeals that continue for years ...

A gay man is released after being imprisoned in a dark, damp cell for two years without trial. The man was arrested on charges of homosexuality when he was only 22 years old. He was discovered by noted human rights attorney Alice Nkom—previously mentioned on Rod 2.0 HERE and HERE.

The young man was freed after Nkom notified the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission in New York City, who secured an attorney on his behalf. There were no files on his arrest and prosecutors had no evidence to present; he was freed immediatyely.

Cary Johnson, the Senior Specialist for Africa at the IGLHC, says there could be thousands of gay men like Alexandre languishing in prisons throughout Africa. "He could have spent the rest of his life in prison. He was lost in the system."

Alexandre's discovery comes just as the IGLHC releases Off the Map, a shocking new report on officially-sanctioned homophobia in Africa—especially as it limits the access of African gays to HIV/AIDS programs. Cary Johnson also authored the report and found the widespread denial of homosexuality in Africa contributes to human rights violations against African LGBT and increases their vulnerabilities to HIV/AIDS.

“Homophobic stigma, the denial of homosexuality and legislation that criminalizes same-sex behavior," Johnson says. "All serve to push the issue of same-sex HIV transmission further underground, and drastically limit HIV services.”

Full report HERE.

Cameroon Frees Man After 2 Years In Prison w/o Trial (365)
Anti-Gay Discrimination Fuels HIV/AIDS in Africa (Reuters)

You May Want to Read ...

"Homosexuelle en Afrique" (Rod 2.0) Cameroon Gay Man Re-Arrested (Rod 2.0) UN Condemns Cameroon Anti-Gay Laws (Rod 2.0) Yaoundé 11 Free? (Rod 2.0) HIV Poz Athletes at Gay Games (Rod 2.0) Cameroon Houseboy "Raped"? (Rod 2.0) Yannick Noah on 'Gay List' (Rod 2.0) "I Have a List of 50 Names" (Rod 2.0) Gay Games Wrap (Rod 2.0) Let the (Out)Games Begin (Rod 2.0)

Comments

[ca]

Thsi is just horrible. And we thought we had it bad here.

[Andy in Seattle]

Yes, it's horrible, but before we start saying "at least that can't happen here," I remind readers that the recently-passed Military Commissions Act enshrined in law the ability for the President to declare anyone--yes, you, American Citizen--can be indefinitely detained without charge and tortured, simply if the Executive Branch decides however arbitrarily to label you an "enemy combatant."

Be afraid, be very afraid.

Thanks again, Rod, for keeping us up to date on issues often off the radar of mainstream (and most queer) media...