Author: Melanie Nathan

Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

May 20, 2020

You can Help by taking action together: Right now, Members of Congress are again discussing legislation to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must make sure that refugees are included in receiving that support. Ask your senator to include refugees in COVID-19 relief legislation. The economic effects of this crisis are disproportionate, and refugees … More Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

May 16, 2020

IDAHOT – International Day Against Transphobia and Homophobia, IDAHOT: 2020 Theme BREAK THE SILENCE Today, May 17th is the day millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT, a special day, to raise awareness and commit further to impact the right to liberty, equality, justice and happiness for LGBTI people around the globe. However violence … More IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

Ugandan Detained Youths Subject to Torture of Anal Exams after Raid of Homeless Shelter

May 15, 2020

AND CALLS FOR ACTION Today, after a lengthy Court battle to attain access to detained clients, the Ugandan Prisons authorities gave  HRAPF’s legal advocates unfettered access to the COSF-19 at Kitalya Mini Maxi Prison. The group were arrested after Ugandan police opportunistically used the COVID-19 emergency to target gays in its ongoing persecutory hunt of … More Ugandan Detained Youths Subject to Torture of Anal Exams after Raid of Homeless Shelter

STOP REFUGEE BULLYING: Slander, Vilification, Lies, Hate Inciting Violence on Social Media Crimes in Kenya

May 13, 2020

We are posting this because we care about the integrity of the refugee program for LGBTQI refugees in Kenya. And also because we want to mitigate cyber-bullying and the danger it brings for all. TO ACCES THIS FULL ARTICLE PLEASE CLICK HERE The screenshots below are examples of what could be construed, in each instance … More STOP REFUGEE BULLYING: Slander, Vilification, Lies, Hate Inciting Violence on Social Media Crimes in Kenya

COVID-19 Emergency Response by ALLOUT, African HRC, REFCEA to LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp

May 11, 2020

Here is the current posting from African Human Rights Coalition website, with thanks for COVID-19 RESPONSE: African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC – AHRC) would like to thank all partners, donors and refugees involved in the various COVID-19 emergency related food and sanitization distributions at Kakuma Camp during April and May. DONATIONS TO ALLOUT FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE … More COVID-19 Emergency Response by ALLOUT, African HRC, REFCEA to LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp

Gov. Newsom Announces Steps to Ensure California’s 2020 Election Safe and Accessible,

May 8, 2020

Gov. Newsom Announces Executive Order That Takes Steps to Ensure California’s 2020 Election Is Safe and Accessible, More Action Needed   Voting rights advocates call on the state legislature to mandate safe, accessible in-person voting locations and to appropriate funds necessary to make California’s November 2020 election a success Voting rights advocates applaud the Executive Order … More Gov. Newsom Announces Steps to Ensure California’s 2020 Election Safe and Accessible,

VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple Case Moves Forward Challenging Foster Care Policy

May 8, 2020

VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple to Have Their Day in Court in Challenge to HHS and South Carolina Foster Care Policy. District court allows lawsuit to go forward challenging HHS waiver that permits a government-funded South Carolina foster care agency to reject applications from same-sex parents   A U.S. District Court today denied an effort by … More VICTORY: South Carolina Lesbian Couple Case Moves Forward Challenging Foster Care Policy

LGBTQI Artist Releases New ‘Love Song Gone Wrong’

May 8, 2020

Joshua Sade James in “All Fall Down” It’s a love song gone wrong for singer/songwriter and multi-talented artist Joshua Sade James and his new single, “All Fall Down”. Fresh from his forthcoming sophomore album release, JSJ — slated for June of this year — “All Fall Down” was written about mistrust, dishonesty, and miscommunication in … More LGBTQI Artist Releases New ‘Love Song Gone Wrong’

San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

May 4, 2020

UC Hastings, Other Tenderloin Residents Sue San Francisco Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19 – Article in The Recorder accessed below… “The conditions now prevailing in the Tenderloin constitute a violation of the fundamental civil rights of those residing and working there,” wrote lawyers for Tenderloin residents suing to force the city to confront encampments … More San Francisco Tenderloin Lawsuit Over ‘Insufferable’ Sidewalk Conditions Amid COVID-19

Tanzania’s president idiocy as three MPs die and Covid-19 spikes

May 2, 2020

Tanzania’s president is under pressure after three MPs die in 11 days and Covid-19 cases spike. Tanzania’s president John Magufuli has described Covid-19 as a “demon” and declared all places of worship remain open because they are where “true healing” will be found. Magufuli has also been relatively relaxed about instituting movement restrictions or lockdowns … More Tanzania’s president idiocy as three MPs die and Covid-19 spikes

Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Critical Information on Trump’s Muslim and African Ban

May 1, 2020

State Department, CBP Illegally Withholding Records on Immigration Ban Waivers and Purported “Worldwide Review” Washington, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates and the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) sued the U.S. State Department and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for failing to respond to a records request for essential information about the Trump … More Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Critical Information on Trump’s Muslim and African Ban

Fun-Filled Event at the Heart of Alight, AHRC and Refugee LGBTI Community Alliance in COVID-19 Response

April 30, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) is pleased to partner with our friends at ALIGHT for the ongoing OUR KITCHEN TABLE initiative.  Together with the LGBTI community in Kenya, we are collaborating through this programming in our joint quest to mitigate the hardships that the COVID-19 Pandemic is bringing to LGBTI refugees in Kenya, to support safe shelter, food and hygiene needs … More Fun-Filled Event at the Heart of Alight, AHRC and Refugee LGBTI Community Alliance in COVID-19 Response

Police at Kakuma Send LGBTI Protesters back to Shelters under COVID-19 Health Concerns

April 30, 2020

Yesterday we reported and on the group of some 50-60 LGBTI refugees who had left their community shelters at Kakuma Camp in Kenya for the UNHCR Compound at the Camp, staging a protest and asserting security concerns, with demands to leave the camp, which is not possible under encampment laws and COVID-19 new rules. The … More Police at Kakuma Send LGBTI Protesters back to Shelters under COVID-19 Health Concerns

Bay Area Regional Shelter-in-Place Orders Extended as Some Rules Ease

April 29, 2020

Health Officers caution that reducing restrictions too quickly could lead to a substantial resurgence of COVID-19 San Rafael, CA –The seven Bay Area Public Health Officers who ordered a Shelter-In-Place in mid-March will extend the orders through May 31 while some restrictions are eased and tools to strengthen containment of COVID-19 are put into place. The … More Bay Area Regional Shelter-in-Place Orders Extended as Some Rules Ease

Citing COVID-19 AHRC Urges Kakuma Participants of LGBTI Sit-In to Return to Shelters

April 29, 2020

“African HRC urges potential protesters to consider the good of all and refrain at this time from this sit-in, which could have a detrimental impact to one’s resettlement later on, as any arrests under COVID-19 will likely be recorded on people’s portfolios which the foreign embassies examine when selecting candidates for resettlement.” African HRC (AHRC) … More Citing COVID-19 AHRC Urges Kakuma Participants of LGBTI Sit-In to Return to Shelters

Certificate of Urgency issued in Ugandan Anti-Gay COVID-19 Case

April 28, 2020

Further to our reporting on the case against the COSF-19 where on Friday 24th April 2020, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) filed a case before the Civil Division of the High Court of Uganda challenging the denial of the 19 LGBT persons currently on remand at Kitalya Mini Maxi Prison access to their … More Certificate of Urgency issued in Ugandan Anti-Gay COVID-19 Case

Meeting Participation: Marin Board Of Supervisors Moratorium on Evictions

April 27, 2020

Board Meeting: Tuesday, April 28th, at 9:00 a.m. or thereafter Effective March 24, 2020, residential and commercial tenants throughout Marin County may not be evicted because of a sudden loss of income tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Resolution applies to all rentals in every city, town, and unincorporated area of Marin County and lasts … More Meeting Participation: Marin Board Of Supervisors Moratorium on Evictions

Bay Area Counties to Extend and Revision Current Shelter-in-Place Orders

April 27, 2020

Joint Statement and Press Release: Bay Area counties extend shelter-in-place orders through end of May: From the Seven Bay Area Health Officers on Upcoming Extension and Revisions to the Current Shelter-in-Place Orders: This global pandemic of COVID-19 is still in its early stages: We expect to be responding to COVID-19 in our communities for a long … More Bay Area Counties to Extend and Revision Current Shelter-in-Place Orders

UNHCR Response to COVID-19 urging International Community support for refugees

April 25, 2020

And calls on the international community to continue its valuable support to refugees, asylum-seekers and host communities during this unprecedented situation. As the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, notes the increasing challenges faced by refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable populations, and calls for continued solidarity. UNHCR appreciates the … More UNHCR Response to COVID-19 urging International Community support for refugees

Lawyers Denied Access to LGBTI Group in Ugandan Prison Pending Trial

April 24, 2020

Today, Friday 24th April 2020, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) filed a case before the Civil Division of the High Court of Uganda challenging the denial of the 19 LGBT persons currently on remand at Kitalya Mini Maxi Prison access to their lawyers by refusing to grant permission to the lawyers to access … More Lawyers Denied Access to LGBTI Group in Ugandan Prison Pending Trial

Pata Pata Gets COVID19 Hopeful Lyrics by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo

April 24, 2020

Once called the “world’s most defiantly joyful song”, Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata’ (meaning “touch”) has been re-recorded by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo, to spread information and hope in a time of Coronavirus. Without any alteration to chords or syllables, though with several changes to the lyrics, ‘Pata Pata’ will be re-released by UNICEF across … More Pata Pata Gets COVID19 Hopeful Lyrics by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo

Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

April 23, 2020

FORMAL COMMENT TO GOVERNMENT PORTAL OBJECTING TO CDC RULE IN LETTER BELOW Melanie Nathan: “African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC- African HRC) has submitted the following comment and objection to the CDC Rule change that is harming all asylum seekers, especially the most marginalized who make their way to the Southern Borders of the United States. … More Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

Child Abuse Tends to Spike in Times of Crisis

April 23, 2020

Marin HHS sends warning on eve of Child Abuse Prevention Month Calls to Marin County’s child abuse and neglect hotlines has plunged since the start of the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, raising concerns of specialists with the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). According to HHS’ Children and Family Services Division, calls to … More Child Abuse Tends to Spike in Times of Crisis

Important COVID-19 Virus Pandemic Resources for Immigrants, Advocates and Allies

April 22, 2020

The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) at Hastings in San Francisco has compiled a bilingual (English/Spanish) COVID-19 resource guide for immigrant communities, advocates, and allies. Protecting the health of our most vulnerable community members during the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to fight for their rights. On this page HERE is a list of … More Important COVID-19 Virus Pandemic Resources for Immigrants, Advocates and Allies

Trump Scapegoats Immigrants Attempting to Deflect from Failed Pandemic Response

April 21, 2020

Last night Donald Trump current President of The United States,  announced by tweet plans to issue an executive order temporarily suspending all immigration to the United States. Comments in  response: Decrying the Trump Threat to Suspend Immigration Karen Musalo, Director of the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS), shared the following comment: “Once again, … More Trump Scapegoats Immigrants Attempting to Deflect from Failed Pandemic Response

Pandemic Protection Needed for Many TPS Immigrants on Frontline

April 21, 2020

In a new article for the Miami Herald, reporter Jacqueline Charles covers the experiences of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders working on the frontlines of the unprecedented Coronavirus pandemic while also fighting to stay with their families here in the U.S. The Trump administration is continuing their attempt to terminate hundreds of thousands of TPS holders’ immigration status … More Pandemic Protection Needed for Many TPS Immigrants on Frontline

DHS MUST STOP Anti-Asylum Seeker Policy

April 16, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition is a proud signatory to this letter, in coalition with CGRS, tASISTA, the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, Tahirih Justice Center, and over 180 other organizations, which was sent today to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, calling on DHS to immediately rescind its policy of expelling asylum seekers at … More DHS MUST STOP Anti-Asylum Seeker Policy