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cameroonAmnesty and Human Rights Watch are leading a campaign for the release of Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, who has been jailed in Cameroon because of his sexuality.

Mbede has been given a three-year sentence.

He was arrested on 2 March after sending an acquaintance a text message, which the acquaintance then showed to police officers.

When he arrived at the arranged meeting place, his friend was in the company of police officers.

Mbede is now being held in Kondengui central prison, having been sentenced on 28 April.

Section 347a of the Cameroon penal code states: “Whoever has sexual relations with a person of the same sex shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years and with a fine ranging from 20,000 Francs CFA [£27] to 200,000 Francs CFA [£270].”

However, the government of Cameroon has signed and ratified treaties which render this law illegal.

 

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