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Welcome to Cameroon, where drinking Baileys can lead to imprisonment | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A human rights lawyer has described the horrendous treatment experienced by gay people in Cameroon – where drinking a Baileys could put you in prison. | A human rights lawyer has described the horrendous treatment experienced by gay people in Cameroon – where drinking a Baileys could put you in prison. |
Michel Togue, a Cameroonian lawyer, said he had defended dozens of gay people but few were ever caught in the act. | Michel Togue, a Cameroonian lawyer, said he had defended dozens of gay people but few were ever caught in the act. |
Mr Togue, speaking to the ThinkProgress blog, said the African country uses gender stereotypes to convict gay individuals. | Mr Togue, speaking to the ThinkProgress blog, said the African country uses gender stereotypes to convict gay individuals. |
Homosexuality is banned in Cameroon and since 1972 has carried a prison sentence of five years. | Homosexuality is banned in Cameroon and since 1972 has carried a prison sentence of five years. |
In one instance, a client of Mr Togue’s was convicted for his feminine mannerisms and drinking Bailey’s Irish Cream – a choice which the judge felt was a woman’s drink. | In one instance, a client of Mr Togue’s was convicted for his feminine mannerisms and drinking Bailey’s Irish Cream – a choice which the judge felt was a woman’s drink. |
He says police rely on gender stereotypes to arrests suspected gay individuals, with people arousing suspicion for being – for example – a male hairdresser. | He says police rely on gender stereotypes to arrests suspected gay individuals, with people arousing suspicion for being – for example – a male hairdresser. |
Mr Togue says that stigma fuels the accusations and arrests, with a lifestyle choices such as cross-dressing used as evidence a man is gay. | Mr Togue says that stigma fuels the accusations and arrests, with a lifestyle choices such as cross-dressing used as evidence a man is gay. |
The atmosphere is having a negative effect on healthcare in the country, particularly HIV testing. | The atmosphere is having a negative effect on healthcare in the country, particularly HIV testing. |
“They can’t go to the hospital for the treatment or even for a test because they’re afraid,” Togue explained. | “They can’t go to the hospital for the treatment or even for a test because they’re afraid,” Togue explained. |
In one case he had heard of an individual who was investigated by police after he admitted to a nurse that he’d had same-sex relations and she informed the authorities. | In one case he had heard of an individual who was investigated by police after he admitted to a nurse that he’d had same-sex relations and she informed the authorities. |
Earlier this year Alice Nkom, a 69-year-old lawyer, claimed Cameroon was suffering under an “anti-homosexual apartheid”. | Earlier this year Alice Nkom, a 69-year-old lawyer, claimed Cameroon was suffering under an “anti-homosexual apartheid”. |
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