This is only a preview of unpublished case!
Three years in prison for homosexuality
Cameroon, action created 10.11.2011
31-year-old student Jean-Claude Roger Mbede was sentenced to three years in prison in Cameroon for allegations of his homosexuality. In addition to his prison sentence, he is in danger of being mistreated through hate attacks by fellow prisoners and prison staff.
Jean-Claude was arrested on March 2, 2011 by members of the Ministry of Defence as he was meeting a friend. Prior to this meeting his friend showed the police notes from Jean-Claude, and informed them about the planned meeting. Jean-Claude was taken into custody at the station in Yaounde (capital of Cameroon) on suspicion of homosexual orientation. On March 9, he was taken to the Central Prison in Kondengui.
On April 28, the court found him guilty of homosexuality and attempted homosexual conduct under Section 347a, according to which "Whoever performs sexual intercourse with a person of the same sex shall be punished with imprisonment from 6 months to 5 years and a fine of 20 to 200 thousand francs to (approximately CZK 700). Jean-Claude was sentenced to three years imprisonment. He served his sentence in the Central Prison in Kondengui, where he is met by very harsh conditions. The prison is overcrowded, sanitary conditions are poor, and food is limited.
Jean-Claude's lawyer has appealed and in July 2012 Jean-Claude was placed on parole. But this case is not closed: he fears for his safety, while seeking to continue his studies at university.
