By Erin Royal Brokovitch At exactly 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, an assistant of attorney Michel Togué sent him a text message informing him of the provisional release of two allegedly gay detainees and two trans women, Jonas and Franky. Those four arrestees breathed a huge sigh of relief, as did the defense team and … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Michel Togue
Cameroon: 7 detainees win their release
Seven LGBT people who were arrested Oct. 1 on homosexuality-related charges have been released in Cameroon. All had faced charges of homosexuality and prostitution, including four who were released today and three released previously. The anti-AIDS, pro-human rights group Camfaids announced the release. Camfaids said that the LGBT detainees expressed their thanks to their attorneys, … Continue reading
Quick response to new anti-gay persecution in Cameroon
By Erin Royal Brokovitch The LGBTI community in Yaoundé responded quickly last week to the news that it has again become the target of persecution by law enforcement. Starting immediately, Cameroonian activists began working to keep seven detainees out of Yaoundé’s central prison, a location that can be especially hazardous for LGBTI inmates. The case … Continue reading
Cameroon: Slain activist mourned; the fight continues
Friends and family of activist journalist Eric Ohena Lembembe gathered in Yaoundé earlier this month to mark the one-year anniversary of his murder by celebrating his life and vowing to continue his fight against AIDS and for justice for LGBTI people in Cameroon. The mass and memorial celebration was held on July 15 at the … Continue reading
Appeal to Cameroon: Stop anti-LGBTI violence
Activists in Cameroon are preparing an appeal to the government of Cameroon, seeking an end to violence against LGBTI people and those who defend their human rights. That appeal, which follows an investigation of anti-gay repression in Cameroon, is scheduled to be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council in September. The activists urge the … Continue reading
Activists demand new probe of Eric Lembembe murder
A year after the murder of journalist/activist Eric Lembembe in Cameroon, human rights activists in Cameroon and abroad are calling for a renewed investigation into his death. Cameroonian authorities’ mishandling of the investigation has been so incompetent and disrespectful that it might lead to new homophobic attacks on innocent LGBT people by those who conclude … Continue reading
Cameroon sentence: 4 months for lesbian activity
Two imprisoned lesbians in Cameroon can look forward to release from the prison cells, now that they have been convicted of violating the country’s anti-gay laws, attorney Michel Togué says. A Yaoundé court sentenced them to four months in prison, fines of 100,000 CFA francs (US $211) each, and legal costs of 30,000 CFA francs … Continue reading
Cameroon: Prison sentence ends for man denounced as gay
A Cameroon man, age 29, has been released from prison, putting an end to incarceration that began when a friend reportedly claimed the man was a homosexual, attorney Michel Togué reports. The man (called Myan in this blog to protect him from homophobic attacks) was one of 10 prisoners who had all been arrested for homosexuality, … Continue reading
Pleas for justice and health in gay-bashing Cameroon
A team of African and American activists traveled last month to homophobic Cameroon to plead for tolerance, justice and improved health care for LGBT people and others. They raised their voices at a health conference, in prison, at the U.S. Embassy, at the office of the Vatican’s representative to Cameroon, and in meetings with local … Continue reading
A visit to prisoners held on ‘suspicion of homosexuality’
In The Nation, journalist Andy Kopsa reports on her trip last month to Cameroon with an American and African delegation from the St. Paul’s Foundation for International Reconciliation. Some excerpts: 20+ imprisoned for being gay The daily tally of prisoners in Yaoundé Central Prison, on the outskirts of Yaoundé, Cameroon, is on a chalkboard the … Continue reading
