Abortion, homosexual row erupt in Cameroon

  1. Posted on Sunday 5 July 2009 - 15:32
    Mforgham
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    Solomon Tembang Mforgham, AfricaNews reporter in Limbe, Cameroon
    Bishops in Cameroon have expressed disdain against the imminent legalization of abortion and homosexuality following the country's ratification of the Maputo Protocol permitting States to legalize homosexuals and abortion. They are calling on the general public to protest against the move.
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    In a declaration at the end of their 34th Plenary Assembly in Yaounde, the Bishops disagreed vehemently with Cameroon's ratification of the law, calling on Cameroonians to categorically say no to it.

    Christian Cardinal Tumi told the press that the Bishops will in the days ahead organize a protest march throughout the national territory to show their indignation and disillusionment with the Head of State for “ratifying such a bad law.”

    In March 2009, the National Assembly voted for the law authorizing the President to ratify the Maputo Protocol on Human Rights and the Rights of women. This protocol accordingly, was adopted in Maputo on 11 July 2003. The Head of State ratified the law on 28 May 2009.

    The law according to the Bishops’ declaration focuses on protecting African women against physical violence and other forms of discrimination. While the Bishops salute steps geared at eschewing all forms of injustices against women and children, they nonetheless disagree categorically with Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol which permits abortion.

    AfricaNews reporter said the law gives the right and freedom to marriage even by same sex, thereby authorizing homosexuality that hitherto is a taboo in Africa. According to the Bishops, authentic Christians in Africa in general and Cameroon in particular consider human life as sacred and therefore condemn all forms of sexual actions that bring disrepute to humans.

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