4
0
On August 8th, two transgender women in Cameroon were brutally attacked by a mob following their release from prison, where they served five years for “attempted homosexuality.” They were arrested as part of a wave of LGBTQ arrests this year during which many other people were arrested on the same charges. Shakiro, one of the women arrested, told the Human Rights Watch, “I was stripped naked and hit everywhere on my body by several people. I was kicked and slapped. I had to play dead — it was the only way to survive.”
LGBT History in Cameroon
The first major wave of arrests in Cameroon started in 2010, with 28 arrests of “suspected homosexuality” between then and 2013. At the time, the Human Rights Watch reported Cameroon as carrying out more arrests of LGBT people than any other country in the world.
Since 2011, activists have been pushing for legislation changes to advance LGBT rights in Cameroon. However, the government has pushed back and kept penal code of 1965 that states, “Whoever has sexual relations with a person of the same sex shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years and fine of from 20,000 to 200,000 francs.”
Human rights lawyers that defend the arrested face hate as well. Two prominent lawyers, Alice Nkom and Michel Togué, worked on many cases in 2013. They both received death threats against themselves and their children and burglaries at their offices, where many important documents related to LGBT cases were stolen. Although both lawyers filed complaints, there were no investigations made.
Police officers also raided an organization that provides HIV prevention and treatment services. During the raid, they arrested 13 people on homosexuality charges, including 7 staff members. The police beat the staff members at the police station. Witnesses stated that along with the physical abuse, the police threatened and verbally assaulted all those arrested. Those arrested said that the police interrogated them without the presence of a lawyer and forced them to sign statements they were not allowed to read.
Today
With the low rates of public acceptance of LGBTQ people in Cameroon, it has been hard to enact any change within the government. There has been pressure from the Human Rights Watch and many activist groups to remedy the mistreatment but, as of now, President Paul Biya has not made any comments on the abuse of LGBTQ citizens and there has been no legislation changes.
With anti-LGTB legislation, such as the penal code of 1965, in place, even those who are not open about their sexuality and gender identity, are susceptible to harassment, assault, and persecution. Since February, there have been more than 24 arrests and even more physical attacks on suspected LGBT people. Discrimination based on gender and sexual identity is legal in Cameroon. As a result, LGBT people are afraid to express their true selves.
While Cameroon is far away from equality, there’s still hope among supporters and activists of the cause. Michael Togué said, “I dream of the day this discrimination is banned in my country. I hope I can still witness this before the end of my life. I am sure this moment will come. Even if it will be after me.”
