Cameroon protests EU funds for gay rights group: reports

(YAOUNDE) - Cameroon's government has protested to the European Union over its giving funds to a gay rights group, claiming it violates the country's ban on homosexuality, local media reported Friday.

Headlines in newspapers declared a diplomatic row with the EU over its support for gay rights groups, with the state daily Cameroon Tribune saying, "Funding of homosexual associations: the government says No to the European Union."

Since early this month, the Cameroonian group Sid'ado (Adolescents against AIDS) has received some 200 million CFA francs (300,000 euros, 401,200 dollars) from the EU office in Yaounde for its project to assist and supervise homosexual minors, the private newpaper Mutations reported.

Sid'ado also includes two other associations working for gay rights, the newspaper said.

On Thursday Cameroon's Foreign Minister Henri Eyebe Ayissi "summoned" the head of the EU delegation in Cameroon, Raoul Mateus Paula, to inform him of "the government's disapproval of funding groups 'which violate Cameroonian laws'", the Cameroon Tribune said.

Cameroon's laws ban homosexual acts, with penalities of up to five years in prison.

Mutations reported that the minister also advised the EU diplomat to consider "the consequences" of its action, which according to the government would encourage people to violate the country's laws.

"The Cameroonian people are not ready, nor disposed to develop these (homosexual) practices in their country," said Eyebe Ayissi, according to the Cameroon Tribune.

There was no reaction from the EU office in Yaounde on Friday.

But a Cameroonian activist for gay rights, lawyer Alice Nkom, said she was "saddened by the government's reaction".

"I don't see in what way the funding violates Cameroonian law," she added.

On the other hand, activist Pauline Biyong of the League for the Education of Women and Children welcomed the government's action.

"Homosexuality is banned by our laws, and goes against our morals and our religious convictions," she said.