Human Rights Groups Pressure Cameroon to End Anti-LGBT Arrests

The international community is responding to the escalating situation in Cameroon, where gay men are routinely and randomly arrested and subjected to legal ordeals that continue for years.

Authorities must end anti-LGBT persecution and repeal laws that criminalize consensual same-sex relations, five human rights organizations said today in an open letter to Cameroon's President Paul Biya.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch joined the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), L’Association pour la Défense des Droits des Homosexuel(le)s (ADEFHO) and Alternatives Cameroun in urging the government to release all individuals detained under the discriminatory law.

"This use of criminal law to punish private sexual activity between consenting adults contravenes international human rights laws that Cameroon has signed and ratified," said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

"“We are receiving an increasing number of reports that individuals are being targeted not only because of their sexual behaviour, which is the subject of these discriminatory laws, but because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. This use of criminal law to punish identities, as well as behaviours, is deeply concerning,” he added.

"The organizations also ask that the government take steps to ensure the end of detentions, arrests and harassment of individuals on the grounds of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. In the last six months, at least ten individuals in Yaoundé and Douala have been arrested under the law.

The central African nation boasts one of Africa's more repressive anti-LGBT regimes. In recent months, there has been an increase in arrests and prosecutions under section 347a of its penal code, which criminalizes same-sex sexual acts. The government is reportedly preparing to toughen its already harsh penalties against homosexuality by equating them with pedophilia.

Since late July, a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old have been in custody. Reports suggest the youths were arrested because they appeared "feminine".  The young men were beaten and tortured and charged under Section 347a. They were represented by noted attorney and human rights activist Alice Nkom.

The open letter comes at the same time All Out is conducting an online petition to President Biya to support the work of Nkom, who has successfully freed more than a dozen imprisoned gay men and founded the Association to Defend Homosexuals (ADEFHO). Nkom was threatened with arrest earlier this year. In 2007 she discovered an imprisoned gay man who was held for two years without trial. He was later released.

Says Nkom: "I've heard countless recent stories of homophobic violence throughout the country. In ten years of defending LGBT people in Cameroon, it has never been this bad."

More than 53,000 people have signed the petition so far. Join HERE.

Background:
CAMEROON: 2 Teens, 2 Men Face Trial
2 Gay Youth Arrested for "Looking Feminine"
2 Gay Youth Face Trial for Homosexuality
Air France Refuses to Deport Gay Asylum Seeker
CAMEROON: 3 More Arrests for Homosexuality
Cameroon: Pro-LGBT Attorney Threatened w/ Arrest
Cameroon Sentences Journalist to 6 Months
Cameroon Sentences Three for Homosexuality
Gay Man Imprisoned for Two Years Without Trial
"Homosexuelle en Afrique"
Cameroon Gay Man Re-Arrested
UN Condemns Cameroon Anti-Gay Laws
Yaoundé 11 Free?

Comments

[etienne]

I love Alice Nkom..this woman is a true soldier for the lgbtq rights!! Again ..shame to these african leaders who got their priorities wrong!

[Samuel]

Alice Nkom is a saint and a true warrior for equality. She has helped so many people and is a beacon for justice. I love her.

My family is originally from nearby Congo. We live in Canada. I really appreciate your African coverage, thank you.

[Procrastination_Xtravaganza]

Thanks for this coverage Rod, I know these organizations will keep applying pressure, and calling attention to human rights laws that the offending countries have already agreed to. I'll be signing the petition today!