Stop LGBT Discrimination in Cameroon!
On July 25, two young men known only as Jonas and Francky were arrested outside a nightclub. They were charged under Section 347a of the Cameroonian penal code, a section that criminalizes same-sex sexual acts, and are currently imprisoned and awaiting trial. They could face up to five years in prison.
Jonas and Francky are only the latest Cameroon citizens to be charged under this code. In March, another Cameroonian man was sentenced to 36 months in prison for text messages he sent to a male acquaintance. There is a very real danger that, due to the current climate in Cameroon, all of these men and others are being subjected to ill-treatment by guards and fellow prisoners.
Sign this petition to urge the Cameroonian government stop violating international human rights laws and repeal Section 347a.
I am writing out of concern for Jonas and Francky, the two young men arrested outside of a night club on July 25, in addition to Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, arrested earlier this spring. All of these men, as well as many others, are currently trapped in prison due to Section 347a of Cameroon's legal code. Additionally, due to prevailing attitudes towards homosexuality in Cameroon, it is highly likely that these prisoners of conscience are facing ill-treatment.
Cameroon's government has signed international human rights treaties, and by imprisoning people solely based on sexual orientation, they are placing the integrity of their authority at risk by boldly violating these treaties. Even though this law has been in place since 1972, arrests have been on a rise in recent months. We urge the Cameroonian government to repeal this discriminatory piece of legislation and comply with their responsibilities to ensure fair and equal treatment for all of their citizens.
Sincerely,
[your name here]
