Disturbing new developments from Cameroon. In what may be a first, three women have been arrested and charged with practicing homosexuality, reports UPI.
The case, reportedly involving an alleged lesbian love triangle, marks the first known case in the central African nation involving women charged with homosexual acts. The women, whose case was heard in court Monday, were charged with homosexual acts in the southern town of Ambam. Homosexual acts are punishable by up to five years in prison in Cameroon.
The husband of one women reported the alleged love triangle, reports BBC.
The women were arrested... following a quarrel between two alleged lesbian lovers. One partner accused the other of infidelity with a married woman. The argument escalated and the husband of the married woman was told of the affair. He reported the incident to the police.
The case has been adjourned until 8 March.
Cameroon is one of at least 38 of Africa's 54 nations that currently have laws penalizing same-sex relations or even sexuality. Four nations—Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan—boast the death penalty for gays or same-sex activity. South Africa and Seychelles are the only African nations that protect LGBT rights. South Africa is also the only African nation to guarantee marriage equality.
The beautiful west African nation boasts one of continent's more repressive anti-LGBT regimes. Recent months have seen an increase in arrests and prosecutions under section 347a of its penal code, which criminalizes same-sex sexual acts. The government is preparing to toughen its already harsh penalties against homosexuality by equating them with pedophilia.
Gay men in Cameroon are routinely and randomly arrested and subjected to legal ordeals that continue for years. Since late July, a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old have been in police custody. Reports suggest the youths were arrested because they appeared "feminine". The two men received the maximum prison sentence of five years in November.
Background:
Cameroon Urged to Release 2 Gay Youths
CAMEROON: 3 Gay Youths Sentenced to Five Years
CAMEROON: Alice Nkom Warns of Rise in Arrests
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
I am so tired of these backward as$ nations.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 26 February 2012 at 01:42
One of the ironies of these homophobic nations in Africa is that it was the Western countries that colonized and "forced" their culture and religions on their African "subjects" that introduced homophobia and now are making such improvements in this area of bigotry while the African nations are regressing to the point of insanity. As one Ugandan gay activist said: The Colonial countries did not bring homosexuality to Africa. They brought homophobia.
Posted by: Jerry | 26 February 2012 at 06:46
The husband reported her to the police?!?
Man ...
Posted by: Dan Collier | 26 February 2012 at 07:13