Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran. He is the…
Jean-Claude Roger Mbede urges support for Amnesty International
Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience from Cameroon, is urging his supporters to join the group that helped hasten his release.
This summer Mbede won release from a three-year prison sentence in order to receive medical care. He still faces an appeal hearing that could put an end to his current freedom.
Mbede’s letter states:
Two months ago, I did not know if I would make it out of prison alive.
I live in Cameroon, where being gay is illegal. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people like me exist in constant fear of hate and violence.
Last year I was convicted of “homosexuality and attempted homosexuality” and thrown in Kondengui central prison in Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon. In this hellish place, I was singled out for being gay and cruelly attacked on multiple occasions.
Today I am deeply grateful to be alive and a free man. Though my release from prison is provisional, I fear that without Amnesty International’s support I would still be there.
I am raising my voice for Amnesty, because Amnesty raised its voice for me. Please, stand together with me to defend human rights with Amnesty.
There are many more like me, unjustly imprisoned for who we are.
It is your solidarity that lifts us from despair.
Jean-Claude Roger Mbede with activist attorney Alice Nkom of Cameroon (Photo courtesy of Amnesty International)
In prison, when I received my first letters from Amnesty supporters, I knew that I belonged to a big family, a worldwide family. Your letters were a beacon of hope in that dark place.
My hope is that one day all LGBTI people will be able to walk free in Cameroon – indeed everywhere – holding our heads high, without any danger or discrimination.
Your support represents hope for all who suffer the indignities and pain of human rights abuses. I celebrate my freedom, but I will not rest until we are all truly free.
I ask you to become a member now, during Amnesty’s September Membership Drive, so that your gift will be matched and go even farther.
