Cameroon men appeal 5-year sentence for gay sex

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran. He is the…

Lawyers for two men seeking to overturn their five-year prison sentences for homosexuality appeared on behalf of their clients before the central appeals court in Cameroon today.

Jonas Singa Kumie and Franky Djome, with their attorney, Alice Nkom. — Jonas Singa Kumie and Franky Djome, with attorney Alice Nkom.

Singa Kimie (also known as Jonas Singa Kumie) and Ndjome Francky (also known as Franky Djome)
were arrested in late July 2011 by police who found them having sex in a vehicle in the Essos district of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.

Their lawyers in the appeal are human rights attorneys Alice Nkom et Michel Togue, both of Cameroon, and Saskia Ditisheim, president of Lawyers Without Borders Switzerland.

The court scheduled a decision on the appeal for Oct. 5 [reportedly now re-scheduled for Oct. 19].

Lawyers Without Borders has said it will send a lawyer to each trial for the crime of homosexuality in Cameroon in partnership with the local Association for the Defense of Homosexuals, or ADEFHO, which is led by Nkom.

Under Cameroonian law, five years in prison is the maximum sentence for homosexual activity.