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Cameroonian justice has just pronounced a sentence against one of the perpetrators of a violent attack suffered by an intersex person. A first in the fight against violence against LGBTI people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) in the country.
Last week, a six-month prison sentence accompanied by a fine of 650,000 CFA francs (about 1,000 euros) was imposed on one of Sara’s attackersan intersex person [née avec des parties génitales ni spécifiquement masculines, ni spécifiquement féminines, ndlr].
According to communiqué de l’ONG Human Rights Watchlast November 15, a violent mob sexually assaulted, beat, threatened and humiliated 27-year-old Sara (pseudonym) as others filmed the scene in two gruesome videos that circulated on social media ».
A notable step
This conviction is a significant step towards the recognition of the rights of LGBTI people in Cameroon, said HRW researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi. “ This is an unprecedented decision as it recognizes that LGBTI people in Cameroon have fundamental rights. Already it must be said that before the verdict, in a very encouraging gesture, the police had followed up on the complaint filed by an organization for the defense of the human rights of LGBTI people. Then, it should also be remembered that the Minister of Communication spoke publicly about violence against LGBTI people and condemned this violence. So, this gives hope that this court decision reflects the growing recognition of the fundamental rights of LGBTI people, including the right to be protected from violence. »
« Much remains to be done »
Even if “ much remains to be done, reminds the researcher. Members of the government, civil society, ordinary Cameroonians, unfortunately continue to justify the law which criminalizes homosexuality by evoking custom, by evoking culture, but in reality, no justification can deprive a category of Cameroonians of their fundamental rights. »
In Cameroon, sexual relations between people of the same sex are still punishable by up to five years in prison.
► To read also: Cameroon: HRW denounces the resurgence of police measures against LGBT people