Cameroon homosexuality trial condemned

Amnesty urges nation to honour human right treaties it has signed as it prepares to try two men for same-sex sexual acts Two men are due to stand trial in Cameroon on charges of homosexuality, prompting criticism from human rights campaigners of the country’s discriminatory laws. Amnesty International demanded the immediate release of the pair, a 19-year-old known only as Jonas and a 20-year-old known as Francky, who were arrested last month in a car outside a nightclub in the capital, Yaounde. They were charged under section 347a of the Cameroonian penal code, which criminalises same-sex sexual acts, and are being held at Yaounde’s Kondengui central prison. If convicted, they face up to five years behind bars. Homophobia is widespread in Cameroon, with gay men frequently subjected to legal prosecution. In March this year, Jean-Claude Roger Mbede was jailed for three years for homosexuality after apparently falling victim to entrapment by the security forces . Amnesty reiterated its call for a change in the law. Erwin van der Borght, its Africa programme director, said: “Given the high level of officially sanctioned homophobia in Cameroon, those arrested under this law are at risk of attack or other forms of ill-treatment, by fellow prisoners or by prison authorities, because of their alleged sexual orientation. “Cameroon should repeal this draconian law. By arresting people purely because of their alleged sexual orientation, the Cameroonian government is flagrantly violating international human rights treaties which it has signed or ratified.” Amnesty reported that Mbede was serving his sentence at Kondengui central prison, known for its overcrowding, poor sanitation and inadequate food supplies. He is said to be in poor physical and mental health and to have been denied medical treatment. He told visitors he had been sleeping on the ground since his imprisonment in March. He is appealing against his conviction and sentence. Amnesty said it considered Mbede to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely because of his real or perceived sexual orientation. It has called on the authorities to ensure he is not subjected to any form of ill-treatment, harassment or violence. Section 347a was drawn up nearly 40 years ago but its enforcement has been variable over time. “Detentions under the law appeared to have dropped in recent years following a peak of arrests in 2005-6,” van der Borght said. “But over the past few months, such arrests appear to be on the rise again. We urge the Cameroonian authorities to rethink this discriminatory legislation and comply with their obligations under international human rights law.” A joint report last year by four human rights organisations said homosexuals in Cameroon face arbitrary detention, scant regard for due process of law and sentencing without evidence. The report documented abuses in detention, both prior to trial and in prison, including beatings, torture and verbal abuse. Cameroon Gay rights Africa David Smith guardian.co.uk

Posted by on August 17, 2011. Filed under News, Politics, World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.