Stop Online Incitement Against LGBT+ People in Cameroon
Campaign content
We ask the Government of Cameroon to take quick action to condemn violence and incitement directed at Sexual and Gender Minorities (LGBTI+) individuals. Recent events, including the cancellation of the visit of the French ambassador for the Rights of Sexual and Gender Minority Persons and the surge of online hate speech, have highlighted the urgent need for the government to protect the rights and safety of Sexual and Gender Minority people.
By taking these steps, the Government of Cameroon can demonstrate it’s commitment to protecting the fundamental human rights of all it’s citizens, regardless of their reel or perceived sexual orientation and their gender identity. We believe in a Cameroon where diversity is celebrated, and everyone can live free from fear, violence, and discrimination.
Join us in calling for the government to denounce violence, investigate crimes against Sexual and Gender Minority individuals, and hold the perpetrators accountable.
We are deeply concerned about the alarming rise in violence and incitement against LGBT+ individuals in Cameroon. Recent events, such as the cancellation of the visit of the French ambassador for the Rights of LGBT+ Persons, have shed light on the hostile environment faced by the LGBT+ community.
It is distressing to witness the outpouring of vitriol and the calls for mob justice against LGBT+ individuals on social media. Government officials and public figures using derogatory language and making harmful statements only perpetuate discrimination and hatred which is against the penal code in SECTION 242 and the constitution in paragraph 13. This not only threatens the well-being and safety of LGBT+ people but also undermines the principles of equality and human rights that are to be upheld by the government.
We call on the Government of Cameroon to take the following actions:
1. Condemn all forms of violence and incitement to violence against LGBT+ individuals, both online and offline. Make a clear statement that discrimination and hatred have no place in Cameroonian society.
2. Conduct thorough and impartial investigations into crimes committed against LGBT+ individuals. Ensure that law enforcement agencies actively protect LGBT+ people from violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
3. Provide support and resources to LGBT+ organizations and activists working to promote human rights, combat HIV/AIDS, and provide vital services to the LGBT+ community. Recognize their valuable contributions to society and foster an environment where they can operate freely and without fear.
4. Undertake educational initiatives to raise awareness and understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity among the general public, government officials, and law enforcement agencies. Promote tolerance, respect, and acceptance of LGBT+ individuals as equal members of society.
5. Collaborate with international human rights organizations, such as the United Nations and regional bodies, to seek guidance, share best practices, and receive support in upholding the rights of LGBT+ individuals.
We urge you to act swiftly and decisively to address the urgent concerns raised by these community and their allies. Together, let us build a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
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