{{A Cameroon appeals court upheld a sentence against a man convicted of homosexuality for texting his male friend to say, “I’m very much in love with you.”}}
Roger Mbede, a university student, was arrested in March last year after the man who received the message tipped off authorities, Human Rights Watch said.
A court sentenced Mbede to three years in prison at the time after he was beaten to coerce a confession, according to the group.
In July, after more than a year in detention, Mbede was released as his case went through the appeals process, the rights group said in a statement.
The appeals court issued its ruling Monday.
“The appeals court decision … is a blow to key human rights principles, including the right to privacy, the right to equality, and the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment,” said Neela Ghoshal, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.
“The decision sends a warning to LGBT Cameroonians that they risk beatings, arrests, and imprisonment simply because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Leave a Reply