UK doubts Cameroon asylum-seeker is gay, plans to deport him
May 5, 2012
Colin Stewart
Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran. He is the…
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ediage Valerie Ekwedde, 26, says he fears persecution in Cameroon because he is gay, but the UK Border Agency ordered him to be deported after finding “no credible evidence” that Ekwedde in fact was gay.
The BBC reported that his deportation was scheduled for today (May 5), but was temporarily halted after Edwedde refused to board his scheduled flight to Paris on the way back to the African nation.
Many gays and lesbians in Cameroon are in prison for violating a law against homosexual activity that provides for a punishment of six months to five years imprisonment.
Related articles
- Amnesty’s new appeal for imprisoned gay man (76crimes.com)
- May 21: How anti-gay laws affect refugees, asylum-seekers (76crimes.com)
- Administrative delay leaves gay man in African prison (76crimes.com)
- 17 people who ran afoul of anti-LGBT laws (76crimes.com)
- Cameroon Lesbians Arrested signals Persecution (oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com)
- Cameroon: Stop Prosecuting People for Being Gay (haleybehre.wordpress.com)
As moderator of the comments on this blog, I blocked a hateful response to this post that said, in part, “Valeri, if you … return to this country Cameroon…your life is finished!!” That’s not the sort of dialogue I want on this blog, but it demonstrates what’s at stake in this case.