A violent mob sexually assaulted, beat, threatened, and humiliated a 27-year-old intersex person on November 15, in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital. The perpetrators filmed the attack, which lasted for several hours, in two horrific videos which circulated on social media. Beaten to near death, taking people by awe. There were calls from the entire LGBT community, community based organizations, Activists, community leaders and allies to serve justice.
It is however worthy to note that Homophobic attacks have been an existing phenomenon in Cameroon where the perpetrators walk free and the victims are left to lament in their miserable state of devastation and a disfigured bodies. It has scared a lot of community members from going to the police because nothing is ever done when they lay such complains.
This however wasn't the case as the entire LGBT community stood up and said it was enough. The case was taken to court and after a series of court hearings, the perpetrators sentenced to six months imprisonment with heavy fines.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?
2021 seems to have been the worst year for the entire lgbtq community characterized by numerous homophobic attacks and arbitrary arrests. In the month of November 2021 an intersex person was unjustly attack and beaten to near death as seen on the videos that were circulating on social media. Reasons for the attack were however not stated, but the victim could be seen in so much pain even after she was trying to explain that she was an intersex person, no one bordered listening to him. An Allie organization with the assistance of Barrister Michel TOGUE took the case to court and after a series of hearings and deliberations that took place on the 25th of February, the perpetrators were however sentences today 28th February 2022 to:
-Six months imprisonment,
-Pay 650000 CFA for material damages.
-Pay 450000 CFA for moral damages and
-Pay 200000 CFA in compensation for loss of dignity.
WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?
What we need to understand is, in Cameroon just like in many African countries issues related to sexuality, sexual orientation, and sexual diversity are never talked about, as a lot of people Express ignorance when it comes to this issues. It is surprising but true that a lot of persons in Cameroon cannot expressly State who is an intersex person nor differentiate them from the rest of the lgbtq community. Just like the rest of the community, intersex persons constitute a less significant number of persons and little is hardly said about them which stems from diverse reasons as majority of them do not speak out or their families force them to hide their sexuality. It is pertinent that, as community actors and leaders we should be able to push forward these things and bring them at the national level.
LESSONS TO LEARN.
History has been made today, it is one of its kind and the message will be passed across. It is necessary that the entire lgbtq community, community-based organizations, community leaders and allies stand in solidarity to protect and care for one another. Sexual and gender minorities constitutes a vulnerable group.
This verdict has passed a strong message across and it is a visible sign that light is at the end of the tunnel and a clear warning to homophobic persons.
We however keep our hands crossed and hoping for a continuous change of events for sexual and gender minorities in Cameroon, just like the case of Shakiro and Patricia, we remain confident that a similar verdict will be passed in the days ahead and the case completely closed .
When we act collectively, we get results.
@wfw