Cameroon police arrest 13 in raid on pro-LGBTI organization that fights AIDS
Alternatives-Cameroon demands the immediate release of all those arrested.
Police in Douala, Cameroon, arrested 13 people during a Sept. 30 raid on the offices of Alternatives-Cameroon, which fights against AIDS and advocates for LGBTI rights.
Among those arrested were five Alternatives staff members, three members of the public who were visiting the Alternatives drop-in center, and five employees of a non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with Alternatives but did not agree to the communiqué.
According to the arrestees’ lawyer, the raid targeted alleged human trafficking, clandestine practice of medicine and homosexuality.
Alternatives-Cameroon issued this statement:
13 Alternatives-Cameroon and [NGO] staff and beneficiaries arrested and held in custody at the Douala Judicial Police.
Alternatives-Cameroon and [the NGO] inform the public of the arrest and custody of 13 people, staff and beneficiaries of Alternatives-Cameroon and [the NGO]. The reasons are as follows according to their lawyer: (i) Human trafficking, (ii) Clandestine practice of medicine and (iii) Homosexuality.
It was on Monday, September 30, shortly before 5 p.m., that the Public Prosecutor, accompanied by police officers and at least two agents with an “INTERPOL” badge, burst into the premises of Alternatives-Cameroon, located in Maképé-Carrefour Patrick Mboma, in Douala.
Alternatives-Cameroon staff were then in a working session with the NGO, for the completion of [a] project, implemented by [the NGO] at Alternatives-Cameroon.
Once the visitors entered, they gathered all the people present in the large administrative room, prohibited the use of telephones and began questioning the activities of Alternatives-Cameroon.
After the Drop-In Center manager asked the reason for their visit, the Prosecutor said that it was a mission ordered by the Presidency of the Republic to investigate human trafficking.
All the people present were questioned on the purpose of their presence, or on their role at Alternatives-Cameroon. Searches of bags and offices were also carried out. The questions revolved around what Alternatives-Cameroon does, who Alternatives-Cameroon’s targets are, and what the materials found in the bags are used for: condoms, toilet oil, and documents.
The Alternatives Facebook page shows that Alternatives-Cameroon deals with LGBTI, sex workers and drug users. This information attracts the attention of visitors and the clarification that these are priority targets in the fight against HIV does not seem to dissuade them.
The identity cards of all those present were collected, a list of those present was drawn up, and a group photo taken, showing all those present, including visitors. The identity cards were then returned, some of the people released, and the rest taken away without any mention of the reason for their arrest. The number of people on board is 13:
Alternatives-Cameroon staff (5)
- Lucien EWANE, President
- Hermine Ngo Ndaptie, Drop-in Center Manager
- Denis WATONWA, psychological counselor
- Oumarou Ousmanou, Peer Educator
- Fotie Zidane, Peer Educator
Beneficiaries of Alternatives-Cameroon (3)
- A 17-year-old beneficiary
- A 19-year-old college student
- A 21-year-old student
[NGO] staff (5)
- Dr Arnaud
- Rose Lummafor
- Yves OKALA
- Jennys
- A driver
This Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 2 p.m., all the people arrested were still at the Douala Judiciary Police.
Alternatives-Cameroon tries to demonstrate, with supporting documents, that there is no evidence to indict Alternatives-Cameroon for any of the reasons mentioned:
- Alternatives-Cameroon is duly registered and its HIV-related services authorized by the Ministry of Public Health (Letter D21-01/L/MINSANTE/UCS-FMP/C of 06 January 2023)
- There is no evidence to prove Alternatives-Cameroon’s involvement in human trafficking.
- Alternatives-Cameroon has a mandate, through the letter mentioned above, to offer the services offered to men who have sex with other men, transgender people and drug users. These services cannot be interpreted as promoting or practicing homosexuality.
Alternatives-Cameroon demands the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested.
For Alternatives-Cameroon,
Makanda David, executive director
