Category: Court Cases

Plaintiff’s ready as Ugandan Court Hears Case on Constitutionality of the Anti-Homosexuality Act

July 30, 2014

Scroll down for daily updates on the case against the Anti-Gay Bill in Uganda. By Melanie Nathan, July 30, 2014. In Kampala, Uganda, the Constitutional Court heard arguments for the Petition seeking to nullify the Anti Homosexuality Act which was signed into law earlier this year. Five of the Petitioners were in court: Prof. J … More Plaintiff’s ready as Ugandan Court Hears Case on Constitutionality of the Anti-Homosexuality Act

Transgender Organization Wins Landmark Case in Kenya

July 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2014.The Kenya  Court  has ruled that a transgender advocacy group has the right to official registration The Daily Nation reports in Nairobi Kenya, that the high court in Kenya, in a landmark ruling , ordered the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) coordination board in Kenya to register an advocacy group for transgender people … More Transgender Organization Wins Landmark Case in Kenya

UK High Court Finds Detained Fast Track Asylum System Unlawful

July 9, 2014

Posted by Melanie Nathan, July 09, 2014. In a landmark ruling in a case brought by Detention Action, the High Court has today found that the way the government operates the Detained Fast Track asylum system is unlawful. Read the full judgment here and a summary briefing here. The charity Detention Action challenged the operation … More UK High Court Finds Detained Fast Track Asylum System Unlawful

Zambian men acquitted of homosexuality charge

July 3, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, July 03, 2014.After over a year of unjust postponements, bail refusals and time spent in jail, waiting for trial, a Zambian magistrate has finally acquitted two men charged with having sexual relations “against the order of nature.” The two men were arrested after being reported to the police by one of Mubiana’s … More Zambian men acquitted of homosexuality charge

Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

June 25, 2014

The fault of indisposed Magistrate By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2014. Philip Mubiana, a hair dresser, and his alleged partner James Mwape, a brick-layer, have been held without bail in Zambia for well over a year, while their case has been stalled at the dilatory hand of the State. How many times can a magistrate … More Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

Ugandan LGBT Community Loses Workshop Lawsuit Against Minister of Justice

June 23, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 23, 2014. Today the LGBT Community in Uganda suffered a blow when the case they had brought in the Ugandan courts against the Attorney General and the Minister of Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo, was dismissed with legal costs awarded against them. The case was brought after the Minister closed … More Ugandan LGBT Community Loses Workshop Lawsuit Against Minister of Justice

Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

June 4, 2014

UPDATED:  July 31, 2014. Harriet Nakigudde has just won her appeal. She has won asylum in the United Kingdom after a hard fought battle by activists and amazing attorneys and a compassionate and experienced barrister who came to her aid. This highlights the cruelty of the UK system – that puts already traumatized people through hell … More Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

Ugandan Government Investigates Refugee Law Project

June 3, 2014

HERE IS AN UPDATE BY RLP: Letter to the Media; Re: Incorrect Allegations of RLP Closure by Government Dear Friends and Colleagues, Re:  Incorrect Allegations of RLP Closure by Government Greetings from the Refugee Law Project (RLP). We are saddened by a number of reports in the media and social networks to the effect that … More Ugandan Government Investigates Refugee Law Project

Zambian men still in jail while homosexuality case delayed

June 2, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, June 02, 2014. Two men of Kapiri Mposhi appeared in court, yet again, for allegedly practicing homosexuality. The case which has taken well over a year, should have been concluded on Friday with a judgment from the magistrate. Instead he was unavailable and the Court heard that he was unprepared to issue … More Zambian men still in jail while homosexuality case delayed

Life or Death to Save Lesbian Aidah from UK Deportation to Uganda Please Sign Now

May 21, 2014

#SAVEAidah Her fast track deportation is set for mere days ahead – May 24 |  we received a desperate request for help from her team here in the UK.  I am meeting with them in London today. They want to hear from you NOW and there is no time to waste! UPDATED MAY 23: LAST … More Life or Death to Save Lesbian Aidah from UK Deportation to Uganda Please Sign Now

Ugandan men first to face trial after passage of harsh anti-gay laws

May 8, 2014

The World is Watching the Making of Martyrs until all Anti-homosexuality laws are decriminalized By Melanie Nathan, May 08, 2014. No matter the outcome, their lives will forever be tarnished, at least in Uganda. However with their faces splashed across world press, many  may come to regard them as martyrs, a symbol for the oppressed … More Ugandan men first to face trial after passage of harsh anti-gay laws

Shocking Story of Cameroon Police Beating 2 Women Accused of Same-Sex Relations

April 26, 2014

Court denies bail, as Cameroon Police Attempt to coerce Lesbian confession and over hundred of these cases pend trial after years languishing in jails By Melanie Nathan, April 26, 2014. Two women have been beaten and arrested in Cameroon and are facing years in prison for allegedly engaging in sexual relations together in the privacy … More Shocking Story of Cameroon Police Beating 2 Women Accused of Same-Sex Relations

Tragic Outcomes likely as Uganda May Refuse Bail on Gay-Sex Charges

April 24, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, April 24, 2014. Please read Colin Stewart’s article at 76 Crimes- about the men who are accused of homosexual relations and are not getting bail in Uganda.  The complexity of surety bail can be noted. While the courts may have been willing to grant bail under the old Penal Codes, it is … More Tragic Outcomes likely as Uganda May Refuse Bail on Gay-Sex Charges

Asylum Seekers Sue Obama Administration to End Unjust Long Waits

April 18, 2014

Department of Homeland Security Routinely Violates Laws Requiring Timely Reasonable Fear Interview Posted by Melanie Nathan April 17, 2014 A lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, alleging the government violated the law in thousands of cases, with individuals waiting in detention for many months for a ruling on their … More Asylum Seekers Sue Obama Administration to End Unjust Long Waits

Lambda Legal Sues Doctor and Clinic for Denying Medical Care to Transgender Woman

April 16, 2014

“Doctors receiving federal funds cannot discriminate in providing patient care just because a person is transgender.” (Urbana, IL, April 16, 2014) – Yesterday, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of Naya Taylor, a transgender woman denied medical care after she … More Lambda Legal Sues Doctor and Clinic for Denying Medical Care to Transgender Woman

Refugee Action vs UK Home Office policy on asylum wins support rates ruling

April 16, 2014

CONGRATULATIONS and CALL TO ACTION – See BRING BACK DIGNITY CAMPAIGN BELOW Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 16, 2014. A High Court judge in the United Kingdom, ruled that current Home Office policy on asylum support rates is unlawful. Dave Garratt ,Chief Executive, of Refugee Action, Victoria Charity Centretook , U.K., took the Home Office … More Refugee Action vs UK Home Office policy on asylum wins support rates ruling

Update on legal Action Against Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act

March 19, 2014

As mob attacks start to grip at the throat of Uganda’s LGBTI community, with many gays and lesbians, (LGBTI), running for cover, the legal teams, fighting the recent laws enacted by the Ugandan Parliament to jail people for homosexual acts and to ban the so called “promotion of homosexuality,” report that the applications for a … More Update on legal Action Against Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act

Lawsuit filed challenging Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act

March 11, 2014

“no personal opinion, no religious belief, no matter how deeply held or widely shared can ever justify depriving another human being of his or her basic rights…” By Cathy Kristofferson, March 11, 2014 Today advocates from the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CSCHRSL) filed a constitutional challenge to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA).  The team … More Lawsuit filed challenging Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act

Russia Charges Critical Teen Project Under the Anti-Gay Propoganda Laws

February 11, 2014

Russian teen project gives affirming support and advice to LGBT youth and at risk of closure Melanie Nathan, February 11, 2014. While athletes, and the world celebrate Sochi together with Valdimir Putin, Russian Teens are at great risk. These current charges show just how bad the new Anti-gay law is in Russia. These laws, now … More Russia Charges Critical Teen Project Under the Anti-Gay Propoganda Laws

Your Dollars Can Help Stop Scott Lively Anti-Gay Extremist

February 5, 2014

By Cathy Kristofferson, February 5, 2014 The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) is now moving to the critical discovery phase of the SMUG v. Lively Crimes Against Humanity case. We have reported on the case extensively here on OBLOGDEE. For that very expensive international endeavor, CCR has set up a CrowdRise fundraising site needing to raise $30,000. “Scott … More Your Dollars Can Help Stop Scott Lively Anti-Gay Extremist

Anti-gay Scott Lively Launches Gubernatorial Run

December 16, 2013

Scott Lively’s campaign motto is “Qualified. Experienced. Electable.”  By Cathy Kristofferson, December 16, 2013 Scott Lively (I-MA) would like to remind everyone that he is still running for Governor of Massachusetts. We presume that his campaign has been suspended while he fights Crimes Against Humanity charges. That pesky trial for persecution on the basis of … More Anti-gay Scott Lively Launches Gubernatorial Run

In crushing blow to India’s LGBT community Supreme Court re-criminalizes homosexuality

December 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 11, 2013 Today, India’s Supreme Court had the chance to overturn Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and decriminalize homosexuality for good. Instead, they set aside a 2009 High Court ruling that had temporarily decriminalized homosexuality for 1.2 billion people. India is one of the many countries in the world … More In crushing blow to India’s LGBT community Supreme Court re-criminalizes homosexuality

Anti-gay Scott Lively again DENIED attempt to avoid Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit

December 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 10, 2013 Scott Lively has again been DENIED an attempt to halt the proceeding in the Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit brought against him by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). As OBLOGDEE reported last week, Lively requested the court suspend the case and stop the discovery phase from beginning while he petitions the Federal Court of … More Anti-gay Scott Lively again DENIED attempt to avoid Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit

New York High Court Agrees to Hear Appeal In Transgender Hate Crime Case

December 9, 2013

New York High Court Agrees to Hear Appeal In Dwight DeLee Case Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) Praises Decision and Continues to Urge the Court of Appeals to Restore Hate Crime Conviction of DeLee in the 2008 Murder of Syracuse Transgender Woman Lateisha Green New York, NY, December 9, 2013 – The Transgender … More New York High Court Agrees to Hear Appeal In Transgender Hate Crime Case

Anti-gay Scott Lively again tries to avoid Crimes Against Humanity trial

December 6, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 6, 2013 Scott Lively is again trying to avoid facing the music in the Crimes Against Humanity lawsuit brought against him by Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). He has now filed to have the SMUG case suspended while he appeals Federal Judge Posner’s ruling against dismissal. “1. Lively filed the Petition on December 5, 2013, requesting … More Anti-gay Scott Lively again tries to avoid Crimes Against Humanity trial

Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

December 4, 2013

GALZ Chairperson summoned to appear in court By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2013. The Chairperson of GALZ, Martha Tholanah has been summoned to appear in Rotten Row Magistrate Court on the12th of December 2013 to answer charges accusing her of running an “unregistered” organization. The summons was served on Tholanah’s Lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara, a member … More Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

November 27, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, November 27, 2013 A South African man has received a 22-year sentence for the ‘corrective’ rape of a lesbian.  Andile Ngcoza, a man with a long history of violent crime, raped Millicent Gaika from Gugulethu to “show her she was a woman” by impregnating her. OBLOGDEE reported extensively (see links below) on the Millicent … More South Africa ‘Corrective’ Rapist Given 22-year Sentence

Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

November 23, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, Nov. 23, 2013. On Friday a Zimbabwe Court discharges the case against Abel Chikomo, the executive director of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, who had been on trial for allegedly running an “unregistered” organization in contravention of the Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) Act (Chapter 17:15). Magistrate Elijah Makomo, from Harare ‘acquitted’ … More Major Court Victory for Zimbabwe Human Rights Defender

Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist

November 21, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, NOV 20, 2013. Today, Scott Lively, the fervently anti-gay Pastor being sued by Uganda human rights organization Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), under the Alien Torts Act, for persecuting gays in Uganda, filed his “Answers and Defenses to Plaintiff’s first Amended Complaint,” in the  UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS … More Scott Lively’s Pleading Spews Hateful lies about Murdered Gay Activist