More news from Cameroon, where gay men are routinely and randomly arrested and subjected to legal ordeals that continue for years. The government is preparing to toughen its already harsh sodomy penalties by equating same-sex relations with pedophilia
The situation has become "more dangerous" with a rise in illegal arrests and torture, noted attorney and human rights activist Alice Nkom tells The Guardian.
"These laws are illegal – the declaration of human rights is part of our constitution – but the judges still apply them. It's very difficult to prove you have had sex. Under the procedural code you cannot be put in jail unless caught in delecto flagrante.
"But they always put people accused of homosexuality in jail straight away. People are targeted because they wear makeup or looked effeminate. One client was given a three-year sentence because he wrote a text message. It's a very corrupt environment and people get paid for informing on others."
No one knows the true numbers. Punishment for those found guilty is a sentence of between six months and five years as well as fines. Detainees are sometimes tortured in police stations until they confess, Nkom maintains; victims are beaten on the soles of their feet.
Scores of people are imprisoned every year in Cameroon under the regulations. Conditions inside are miserable. The main jail in the capital, Yaounde, was built for 600 but now contains 4,000 inmates. "Unless you buy food from the guards," she said, "you starve. For those whose are homosexual their life is made worse."
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.
Nkom, who successfully freed more than a dozen imprisoned gay men and founded the Association to Defend Homosexuals (ADEFHO), 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.
In other news: Cameroon President Paul Biya has been sworn in for a sixth term after "winning" last month's election by a landslide. The 78-year-old Biya has held the position for the last 29 years.
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?
Cameroon and other nations that violate the human rights of gays or any other group of people should be boycotted, because the "homosexuality does not represent our culture" argument is totally nonsense, and is an ill excuse to violate the rights of people.
Boycott their as$es
Posted by: Mel Smith | 19 November 2011 at 15:44
Much respect to this woman who dares to stand up for the right thing!They can persecute LGBT people as long as they want but guess what? We're (queer) here to stay!!..homophobia is a losing battle!It's amazing to see how the younger LGBT generation (late 10's early 20's)that grew up in Africa with access to information i.e internet is unapologetic.You(homophobes)cannot fight what's natural! How about we focus on the development of our beautiful continent?
Africain et gay!
Posted by: Gitondo | 19 November 2011 at 17:47
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY IS SOME AFRICAN COUNTRIES SO DAMN HOMOPHOBIC? IT'S RIDICULIOUS.
Posted by: BLACK | 19 November 2011 at 23:33
Homosexuality has always been a small part of nature and always existed in all the sub-Saharan African countries. Homophobia as it exists today arrived with the Colonials and their religious bigotry and today religions are still the fundamental source of homophobia. As one gay activist in Uganda said: The West did not bring homosexuality to Africa; it brought homophobia." He is right. There are two books that are great sources of homosexuality in Africa and they are well documented. One is BORN TO BE GAY: A HISTORY OF HOMOSEXUALITY by William Naphy and BOY WIVES AND FEMALE HUSBANDS:STUDIES OF AFRICAN HOMOSEXUALITIES by Stephen O. Murray and Will Roscoe. These books are invaluable sources of truth about homosexuality in Africa.
Posted by: Jerry | 20 November 2011 at 08:19
more proof that black h8ers are the worst haters!
shame!!!
thanks rod!!!
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Posted by: alicia banks | 27 November 2011 at 21:38