CAMEROON-SOGI-TBs-CAT

Country: Cameroon

Issue: SOGI

Human rights mechanism: Treaty bodies

Treaty body: Committee Against Torture (CAT)

Concluding Observations on Report 6 (2024) (Link)

Violence on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity

46. The Committee notes with concern that sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex are still a punishable offence under section 347-1 of the Penal Code. It also remains concerned about the discrimination, harassment, intimidation, threats to physical safety, arbitrary arrests and detention, violence and hate crimes to which lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, as well as human rights defenders who denounce these offences, are reportedly subjected. In addition, the Committee is concerned about the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of these acts (arts. 2, 12, 13 and 16).

47. The State party should decriminalize consensual same-sex relations and repeal section 347-1 of the Penal Code. It should also take all necessary measures to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, as well as the human rights defenders who assist them, are adequately protected from the discrimination, harassment, intimidation, threats to their physical safety, arbitrary arrests and detention, violence and hate crimes to which they may be at risk on account of their real or supposed sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, the State party should ensure that all allegations of such abuses are investigated promptly, effectively and impartially, that the perpetrators are prosecuted and, if found guilty, punished appropriately and that the victims obtain redress.

Concluding Observations on Report 5 (2017) (Link)

Violence on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity

43. The Committee is concerned that consensual relations between same-sex adults are still an offence in the State party. It is also concerned by reports that cases of violence, harassment, “corrective rape” and murder against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons, and against the human rights defenders who report these violations, are not subject to thorough investigation (arts. 2, 12, 13 and 16).

44. The State party should:

(a) Repeal article 347-1 of the Criminal Code criminalizing consensual relations between same-sex adults and, in the interim, declare a moratorium on its enforcement;

(b) Take all necessary steps to protect LGBT persons, especially in places of detention, and the human rights defenders who provide them with assistance;

(c) Ensure that allegations of violations on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity, including acts of torture, ill-treatment and “corrective rape”, are investigated promptly, thoroughly and impartially.

CAMEROON-SOGI-TBs-CAT

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