By Jean Marc Yao The west-central African nation of Cameroon has adopted a new criminal code which, unfortunately, shows no signs of shaking off the nation’s homophobia. As with the previous penal code, adopted in 1967, the new one that the National Assembly adopted June 22 punishes homosexuality up to 5 years of imprisonment. [Editor’s … Continue reading
Tag Archives: REDHAC
Cameroon lawyer: It’s time to repeal our anti-gay law
The repeal of Cameroon’s anti-LGBT law is long overdue, says a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association. In fact, says barrister Walter Atoh, “It is absolutely sickening and ridiculous that in the 21st century a homosexual act gets a person in Cameroon six months to five years imprisonment.” Atoh, known … Continue reading
Cameroon: Human rights defenders hit by a fifth burglary
Strong security measures at the headquarters of a Cameroon-based human rights organization were no match for burglars who broke through the roof on the night of Nov. 1-2 with the goal of disrupting operations. It was the fifth time in a year that burglars — apparently politically motivated — had struck REDHAC, the Network of … Continue reading
Cameroon: 290 march and pray for human rights
Last month, hundreds of Cameroonians marched in support of the country’s human rights defenders in a protest organized by Camfaids and its partners. Camfaids (the Cameroonian Foundation for Aids) combats HIV/Aids and works to achieve recognition of the importance of guaranteeing human rights for LGBTI people. The peaceful march by nearly 300 people was part … Continue reading
Activists failed Roger Mbede; who killed him?
Reporter Robbie Corey-Boulet conducted an in-depth investigation into the death of Roger Mbede, a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience who was imprisoned in 2011 in anti-gay Cameroon for amorous text messages, was released from prison in 2012 in poor health, and died last year under suspicious circumstances at his family’s home. These are excerpts … Continue reading
LGBTI life improves in homophobic Cameroon
In Cameroon, the number of prosecutions and convictions of LGBTI people has dropped markedly after years of hard work by local activists and two attorneys advocating for recognition of the human rights of LGBTI people. Cameroon has not repealed the law known as “347 bis,” which provides for up to five years in prison for … Continue reading
Another attack on a Cameroon activist; a plea for help
Burglars ransacked the home of Cameroonian human rights defender Maximilienne Ngo Mbe on June 30, stealing documents and computers used in her work as executive director of REDHAC, the Network of Human Rights Defenders in Central Africa. The burglary was the latest in a series of attacks against activists who defend human rights in Cameroon, including … Continue reading
Cameroon: Human Rights Defenders Day proposed for July 15th
We publish the call to associations and peers in the struggle for human rights and in particular for the rights of LGBTI people, by the CAMFAIDS team in Cameroon inviting all human rights defenders to commemorate July 15th as Human Rights Defenders Day. Dear colleagues and peers in the struggle for human rights and in … Continue reading
Cameroon: Human rights plea provokes death threat
After speaking out last month against human rights violations by Cameroonian forces opposing Boko Haram insurgents in northern Cameroon, human rights defender Maximilienne Ngo Mbe became the target of an apparent death threat on television, plus abusive criticism for advocating human rights for LGBT people. Ngo Mbe, as executive director of the Cameroon-based Network of … Continue reading
Joining forces to fight for women’s rights, LGBTI rights
The struggle on behalf of human rights for LGBTI people will focus next month on the work of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, as explained in this abridged version of last week’s “RGOD2” commentary by the Rev. Canon Albert Ogle. In preparation for the U.N. CSW meeting of March 9 to 20, … Continue reading
