Now Reading
Cameroon: Homophobic falsehoods target 2HRC advocacy group

Cameroon: Homophobic falsehoods target 2HRC advocacy group

LGBTI organizations in Cameroon, particularly those located in the eastern part of the country, are frequently targeted by homophobic misinformation about their mission. They are accused of promoting homosexuality although their actual mission is to fight HIV/AIDS and defend the human rights of LGBTI people.

Logo of 2HRC

The latest example of such a misinformation campaign occurred in response to an awareness- raising and advocacy meeting aimed at combatting violence and human rights violations targeting  LGBTI people. The meeting was organized last month by the organization 2HRC, based in the East Cameroon region.

After the meeting, members of the media and other anti-homosexuality forces claimed that the meeting was intended to promote homosexuality. They urged police to crack down.

Leaders of 2HRC were indignant.

“We are working on a public health issue, fighting against HIV/AIDS in Cameroon, particularly among key populations most at risk of AIDS, as part of the national strategic plan for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cameroon,” one leader of 2HRC stated.

Members of 2HRC were vilified on social networks as LGBTI people promoting homosexuality, which puts them at risk because their identities are publicly known.

Afraid for their lives, they are thinking of taking legal action to denounce the people spreading misinformation and false rumors.

See Also
Linda Mafu, head of political and civil society advocacy at the Global Fund. (Photo courtesy of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria)

Courtney Stans comments:

The sad reality is that such a legal action could not succeed, given the biased position of police and magistrates on homosexuality and the human rights of LGBTI people.

 

View Comments (0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

© 2022 ERASING 76CRIMES
Scroll To Top

Discover more from Erasing 76 Crimes

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading