Correction: Cameroon-Criminalizing Adultery story

YAOUNDE, Cameroon – In a story June 23 about Cameroon’s adultery law, The Associated Press reported erroneously that until now, adultery in Cameroon has been a criminal act for women only. In fact has been a criminal act for men as well but under different terms.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Cameroon to harmonize law on adultery for men, women

Cameroon to harmonize law on adultery for men, women; both could face jail time

Cameroon’s parliament has voted to change the country’s penal code to criminalize adultery on more equal terms for men and women.

Until now, the code has punished men for having sex at home “or habitually elsewhere” with someone not their wife. It has punished women simply for having sex with someone not their husband but does mention where or how often.

The changes approved late Wednesday are expected to be endorsed by both the Senate and President Paul Biya, who had proposed the revision.

The penal code says the punishment for adultery is two to six months in prison or fines of up to about $175.

Barrister Nick Tazoh of the Cameroon Bar Council says the law will send more people to already congested prisons.