CNN FEATURES one of African Human Rights Coalition’s safe houses in an excellent report on the influence of the American Evangelical and conservative extremists on the anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and climates in Uganda and Ghana, causing so many people to flee and seek protection.
PIC: David McKenzie of CNN talks to AHRC shelter residents about the cruelty that led to their forced displacement and flight to Kenya.
ONE OF THE MANY HEARTBREAKING STORIES FROM PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE AS FEATURED BY CNN:
FULL CNN REPORT by David McKenzie and Sarah Dean LINK HERE
“Nowhere to go
There is nothing fictional about Sylvia’s escape from Uganda. She told CNN that the police and a mob raided her apartment while she wasn’t there. Many of her friends were arrested and beaten, and she lost contact with her girlfriend. Sylvia says she thought she found refuge in her grandmother’s house, only to be forced out. “My mom came herself and she told me, ‘You are not welcome here; you are not part of our family. You either go, or I call the police.’ I cried because I love my mom,” she says.
In the safe house in Nairobi, the Ugandans feel that their space to live in safety is running out, that the proposed Kenyan law presents a direct threat to them.
They now face a complex process of registering for asylum and potentially moving to the Kakuma refugee camp in remote northwestern Kenya. “When is it going to stop?” asks Ann, who only arrived a week ago. “If you come to Kenya what is going to happen, if you go to another country, what are they going to do to you there?””
One of many emergency cases, African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) was able to relocate Sylvia through a complex extraction process in the dead of night. Though we were successful in ensuring Sylvia made it to the safe house, without further harm, her trauma and grief at her loss of family and home, is prevalent.
Sylvia’s is one of many cases where AHRC has assisted, with each case unique in attempting to find solutions in a complicated and very difficult environment.
AHRC CONTINUES to achieve this difficult work, to include emergency food and safe shelter programs in several countries, with minimal funding and without any operational grants.
This past year we were fortunate to have received a particular large donation that enabled this life saving work. Now we are seeking grants and further donations to continue and expand this work into 2024.
TO SEE YEAR END GRATITUDE VIDEOS PLEASE LINK HERE
Safe passage is elusive. Protection is complicated and limited. Africa’s LGBTQI+ people fleeing such violence have unique needs and special considerations due to the struggles they face that marginalize them further, even within the general refugee populations. AHRC continues advocating for innovation and realistic pathways. Briefings are available.
We have big plans for 2024 and invite you to stay engaged by joining our mail list at www.AfricanHRC.org
WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON
AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2024KINDLY CONSIDER AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COALITION
IN YOUR YEAR END GIVING
FULL CNN REPORT by David McKenzie and Sarah Dean LINK HERE
WITH THANKS AND IN SOLIDARITY
MELANIE NATHAN nathan@AfricanHRC.org
AND THE AHRC AND OBLOGDEE TEAMS
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