Human Rights Commissioner shocked and saddened by the violent death of Cameroonian human rights activist Eric Ohena Lembembe

BERLIN, Germany, July 19, 2013 – Federal Government Human Rights Commissioner Markus Löning issued the following statement today (18 July) in response to the violent death of Cameroonian human rights activist Eric Ohena Lembembe:

I am deeply shocked and saddened by the violent death of Eric Ohena Lembembe. He fought for human rights with great courage. He stood up in Cameroon to publicly criticize violence targeting gay, lesbian and transgender people.

This killing needs to be subject to proper investigation and criminal prosecution. There can be no impunity – on the contrary, the Government of Cameroon has an obligation to take action against hatred and homophobia and to protect those who stand up for human rights.