Current Affairs

Cameroon criticises media attention around murdered LGBT campaigner

Jul 19 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Officials in Cameroon have spoken out for the first time since international media attention focussed on the alleged murder of an LGBT and human rights campaigner earlier this week.

The body of Eric Ohena Lembemb was found at his home in the capital city Yaounde on Monday evening, days after he had warned of increasing attacks on LGBT support groups in Cameroon.

He was the executive director of the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS and worked closely with UNAIDS.

The first official response came from government spokesman Issa Tchiroma and said that journalists and civil rights groups had “launched attacks on our nation, dragging its image into the mud.”

He went on to say that the case was being investigated but civil rights groups had said previous investigations had not been through.

The plight of Mr Lembembe was raised in the House of Commons during Tuesday’s same-sex marriage debate by Labour MP Diane Abbott.

Same-sex sexual activity is punishable by up to five years imprisonment in Cameroon.