A Cameroon appeals court upheld a sentence against a man convicted of homosexuality for texting his male friend to say, "I'm very much in love with you."
Roger Mbede, a university
student, was arrested in March last year after the man who received the
message tipped off authorities, Human Rights Watch said.
A court sentenced Mbede to three years in prison at the time after he was beaten to coerce a confession, according to the group
.
In July, after more than a year in detention, Mbede was released as his case went through the appeals process, the rights group said in a statement.
Cameroon's life-lesson 'Aunties'
The appeals court issued its ruling Monday.
"The decision sends a
warning to LGBT Cameroonians that they risk beatings, arrests, and
imprisonment simply because of their sexual orientation or gender
identity."[True talk there!No offense to gays].lol
Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism.
Cameroon's sentences for
homosexual acts vary between six months to five years, the rights group
said, citing justice ministry records.