International Mechanism Submissions

Since its Third-Cycle Universal Periodic Review in 2018, Cameroon continues to persecute and discriminate against people based on their perceived and actual status as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTIQ+) community. The State condones and participates in violence, persecution, and discrimination against the community. The State also fails to appropriately respond to such conduct by officials and private individuals. The criminalization of consensual adult same-sex sexual activity, coupled with public animus toward sexual minorities, fosters a hostile and often deadly environment for the LGBTIQ+ community in Cameroon. 

The Republic of Cameroon continues to criminalize consensual relations between same-sex adults under Article 347-1 of the Cameroon Penal Code and continues to enforce that provision. Since its 2018 review until the time of this report's submission, human rights organizations have documented scores of arrests and detentions under Article 347-1. 

Members of the LGBTIQ+ community struggle to access to healthcare, experience arbitrary arrests, and lack access to justice when they experience violence due to Cameroonian police failing to adequately investigate incidents of violence against sexual and gender minorities. Police routinely attempt to extort money from members of the LGBTIQ+ community through violence and threats. Homophobic vigilantes also threaten, harass, and commit physical and sexual violence against members of the LGBTIQ+ community. The Republic of Cameroon also fails to adequately protect human rights defenders.  

Authorities do not promptly or impartially investigate allegations of human rights violations on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, including acts of torture, ill-treatment, and "corrective rape." The police often participate in or condone the violations. As a result, members of the LGBTIQ+ community do not feel safe reporting crimes committed against them.