CCPR/C/CMR/CO/5

Cameroon (CCPR 30-11-2017)

The Human Rights Committee considered the fifth periodic report of Cameroon (CCPR/C/CMR/5) at its 3426th and 3427th meetings (CCPR/C/SR.3426 and CCPR/C/SR.3427), held on 24 and 25 October 2017. At its 3444th meeting, held on 6 November 2017, it adopted the present concluding observations.

Concluding observations

C. Principal matters of concern and recommendations

Discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity

13. The Committee reiterates its concerns about section 347 bis of the Penal Code, which criminalizes sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex. It is concerned as well about section 83 of Act No. 2010/012 of 21 December 2010 on cybersecurity and cybercrime, which criminalizes the sexual propositioning of an adult of the same sex by means of electronic communication. The Committee also deplores the alleged existence of: (a) discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; (b) pretrial detention of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons for extended periods of time, in violation of section 221 of the Code of Criminal Procedure; and (c) acts of violence committed against such persons in places of detention by both other detainees and prison staff (arts. 2, 7, 9, 17 and 26).
14. The State party should consider reviewing section 347 bis of the Penal Code and section 83 of Act No. 2010/012 and should take all appropriate steps with a view to:

(a) enacting comprehensive legislation providing full and effective protection against discrimination in all spheres and containing an exhaustive list of prohibited grounds of discrimination, including sexual orientation and gender identity; and

(b) protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, safeguarding their fundamental human rights and ensuring that all cases of discrimination or violence are, without fail, investigated, that the perpetrators are brought to justice and convicted, and that the victims receive adequate compensation.