Reporter Robbie Corey-Boulet conducted an in-depth investigation into the death of Roger Mbede, a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience who was imprisoned in 2011 in anti-gay Cameroon for amorous text messages, was released from prison in 2012 in poor health, and died last year under suspicious circumstances at his family’s home. These are excerpts … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Jean-Claude Roger Mbede
Quick response to new anti-gay persecution in Cameroon
By Erin Royal Brokovitch The LGBTI community in Yaoundé responded quickly last week to the news that it has again become the target of persecution by law enforcement. Starting immediately, Cameroonian activists began working to keep seven detainees out of Yaoundé’s central prison, a location that can be especially hazardous for LGBTI inmates. The case … Continue reading
Call for probe: Family let Mbede die to exorcise gayness?
Grieving friends and allies of gay rights icon Roger Mbede are calling for an investigation into his family’s role in his death on Jan. 10. After Mbede, 34, left a hospital in Yaoundé last month, he was reportedly denied access to health care and was confined by his family to one room in their home … Continue reading
Homophobia victim Roger Mbede dies in Cameroon
Roger Jean Claude Mbede, 34, the Cameroonian man who was sentenced to three years in prison for sending an amorous text to a male acquaintance, died today in his home village after running out of money to pay for medical care. During 16 months in prison, Mbede was the focus of an intense international push … Continue reading
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19 in prison for being gay, 18 more awaiting trial
(This is the latest update of a page that is often revised — again and again — as new information is received.) Worldwide, at least 19 people are currently in prison for violating laws that punish those who are born gay, lesbian or bisexual. In addition, at least 18 other people are awaiting trial for … Continue reading
The Pope must protect LGBT people in his flock
As Cameroon prepares for its last farewell to murdered activist Eric Lembembe on Aug. 3, the Rev. Canon Albert Ogle urges the Pope to protect the LGBT people in his flock. Eric Lembembe was one of the Pope’s many children. He was a devout Roman Catholic and was selected to represent Cameroon at the International … Continue reading
Beating death of LGBT activist Eric Lembembe in Cameroon
LGBT activist and reporter Eric Ohena Lembembe was beaten to death over the weekend, LGBT activists in Cameroon announced today. Fellow activists said they found his bloody, lifeless body early today at his home in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Investigations by human rights defenders are under way to discover who was responsible for the crime. At his … Continue reading
Cameroon ‘not ready’ to end LGBT persecution
Cameroon’s harsh treatment of LGBT people came in for criticism this week from 15 countries during the international human rights analysis known as the Universal Periodic Review. At the UPR session yesterday in Switzerland, Foreign Minister Pierre Moukoko Mbonjo did not offer hope for any quick change in Cameroon’s law against homosexual activity or an … Continue reading
Cameroon: Stop turning blind eye to death threats
Human Rights Watch issued this press release yesterday. Also see “Cameroon: Stop death threats to lawyers (video).“ Cameroon: Stop Turning Blind Eye to Death Threats: Intimidation of Lawyers in ‘Homosexuality’ Cases Compromises Right to Defense (Nairobi, February 13, 2013) – The government of Cameroon should immediately take action against a series of death threats made over … Continue reading
Cameroon leader claims progress, but leaves LGBTs in jail
Cameroon’s long-time leader, President Paul Biya, says people in his country are changing their minds about homosexuality. But Biya has shown no signs of leadership on the issue and has done nothing to help the 19 people currently in prison or awaiting trial in Cameroon for their sexual orientation. “We have recently had news that … Continue reading
