Category: WORLD

Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

July 26, 2021

United States Attorney General, Merrick Garland Overturns Trump Asylum Precedent Excluding Domestic Violence Survivors: San Francisco, CA (July 26, 2021) – Today Attorney General Merrick Garland overturned a Trump-era asylum precedent that undermined protections for survivors of domestic violence and other gender-related persecution. In 2020 then-Attorney General William Barr issued the precedent, known as Matter … More Garland Overturns Hateful Trump Asylum Precedent

Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

June 3, 2021

Members of the European Parliament have been discussing the proposed EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The Commission presented the Pact last September as a “fresh start,” promising to create a comprehensive, regional approach to asylum and migration. Eight months later, negotiations continue with agreement far from sight. The EU is long overdue to establish … More Undermining Protection in the EU: Report on Proposed Pact on Migration and Asylum

44 Arrested at Shelter in Uganda’s Anti-Gay Hunt

June 2, 2021

44 Arrested at Shelter in Uganda Under Suspicion of Being LGBTQI with forced Anal Exams Below is the Report and request for assistance from the Human Rights Legal Team in Uganda. It is our belief at African Human Rights Coalition that this group was targeted under suspicion that it is a shelter for homeless LGBTQI … More 44 Arrested at Shelter in Uganda’s Anti-Gay Hunt

Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

May 28, 2021

CGRS Concerned Biden Policies Will Undermine Fairness, Endanger Refugee Families The Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that the Biden administration will begin fast-tracking asylum cases for certain families seeking refuge. By establishing a “dedicated docket” for asylum-seeking families, the administration will sacrifice fairness in the name of … More Biden Dedicated Docket Unfair for Asylum Seekers

Trans Women Get 5 Years Jail in Cameroon and America is Silent

May 23, 2021

Several years ago at an event in San Francisco I asked renowned trans American Actress Laverne Cox if she would be interested in speaking out for transgender people who are being criminalized in African countries. She was on an event stage when asked the question, and in front of all present answered along the following … More Trans Women Get 5 Years Jail in Cameroon and America is Silent

In Ghana 21 Suspected Lesbians and Gays Hunted, Stormed, Arrested

May 21, 2021

“We must share this story – to bring awareness, as to criminalization and the homophobia and transphobia that drives it. Often resulting in obscuring the lines between justice, law and how it is used to hunt humans and persecute.” Melanie Nathan, Executive director African Human Rights Coalition.   Police in Ho, Ghana, have arrested 21 … More In Ghana 21 Suspected Lesbians and Gays Hunted, Stormed, Arrested

U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

May 20, 2021

In a historic update to exisiting policy, the U.S. State Department made the decision to recognize U.S. citizenship of babies born abroad to same-sex married couples, regardless of whether an American parent is biologically related. More from HuffPost.   In a victory for LGBTQ rights, the State Department updated its policy to recognize the U.S. … More U.S. Expands Birthright Citizenship of Babies Born Abroad to Same-Sex Couples

Statement by UN Human Rights Experts on IDAHOT

May 15, 2021

“Certain narratives, coupled with false affirmations presented as science-backed fact, feed the fake notion that there is an inherent conflict between these rights of religious freedom and the basic human rights of LGBT individuals. This manufactured contradiction then becomes another tool that perpetuates and aggravates their sociocultural exclusion.” On behalf of the African Human Rights … More Statement by UN Human Rights Experts on IDAHOT

Uganda Passes Onerous Sexual Offenses Act and Impact on LGBT Individuals

May 6, 2021

Here is the HRAPF Analysis of the newly legislated Ugandan Sexual Offenses Act, 2021: While HRAPF notes that the “The Act does not specifically target LGBT persons, sex workers or persons living with HIV since its aim is to consolidate criminal provisions on sexual offenses generally. However, many of its provisions directly affected these criminalised … More Uganda Passes Onerous Sexual Offenses Act and Impact on LGBT Individuals

Garland Must Act Now to STOP Trump Policy Harm

April 30, 2021

This morning NPR aired a great story on how Trump’s Justice Department rulings continue to place domestic violence survivors and others at risk of deportation. The story features  Ms. A.B. (Matter of A-B-) and Cristina, one of the many women wrongly denied asylum due to these rulings. We are calling on A.G. Garland to vacate … More Garland Must Act Now to STOP Trump Policy Harm

Biden Reverses Cruel Reversal for Refugee Admissions Cap

April 16, 2021

Today, the Biden administration made the shocking announcement that the U.S.’s refugee admissions cap this year will remain at its all-time low level of 15,000. Melanie Nathan of African Human Rights Coalition joined a chorus of advocates immediately criticizing the move. Nathan noted, “How can the Biden admin endorse and amplify the cruelty of the … More Biden Reverses Cruel Reversal for Refugee Admissions Cap

Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

March 25, 2021

Yesterday news came down of an ultimatum given to UNHCR by the Kenyan Government, declaring the imminent closures of Dadaab and Kakuma Camps, Kenya. The Statement can be read HERE.This statement has occurred in the context of life for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers seeking protection and resettlement from Kenya. The Kenyan Government has maintained … More Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

UNHCR Updates on Injured LGBTQI Refugees from Kakuma Fire

March 19, 2021

Following is the latest in several UNHCR updates regarding the condition of two LGBTQI refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya, who were burned in a fire where arson, under investigation, is suspected: “Update on the situation of the two persons who suffered burn injuries in the 15 March 2021 fire in Kakuma: As notified in our … More UNHCR Updates on Injured LGBTQI Refugees from Kakuma Fire

Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

March 9, 2021

Join in and help decriminalize LGBTQI people in Uzbekistan Although the Uzbekistani Constitution guarantees privacy, equality and non-discrimination, Uzbekistan is one of the only two Central Asian countries that retain legislation criminalising private, consensual same-sex conduct between men. Article 120 of the Criminal Code in force stipulates that “bezakalbazlyk” (sodomy), voluntary sexual intercourse between two … More Help to Stop the Criminalizing Laws against Gays in Uzbekistan

UNHCR Seeks Urgent Access to Asylum Seekers Denied by Tanzanian Government

February 28, 2021

AHRC joins UNHCR in appealing for access to detained asylum-seekers in Tanzania On Thursday, as Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC), I received an urgent message of distress from a group of refugee/ asylum seekers in Tanzania who noted that they were about to be “deported” back to their home country, Uganda. They … More UNHCR Seeks Urgent Access to Asylum Seekers Denied by Tanzanian Government

Protests Erupt Worldwide as Bobi Wine Speaks from House Arrest

January 22, 2021

Protests erupted around the world today condemning the results of Uganda’s Presidential election earlier this month. National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate, Parliamentarian Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine remains under inexplicable house arrest, surrounded by Ugandan military troops under the orders of dictator Yoweri Museveni, who has declared victory in the Ugandan Presidential election, and hence … More Protests Erupt Worldwide as Bobi Wine Speaks from House Arrest

President Biden’s Swift Immigration Action brings added Hope for LGBTQI Refugees

January 20, 2021

Thanking President Biden on Quick Immigration Action with a Hope for added considerations for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers Newly inaugurated President Joe Biden signed several executive orders today including the repeal of the Trump administration’s travel bans, which barred people from many African and Muslim-majority countries from coming to the United States. The Biden administration … More President Biden’s Swift Immigration Action brings added Hope for LGBTQI Refugees

U.S. Ambassador Denied Access to Ugandan Presidential Candidate Bobi Wine under House Arrest

January 18, 2021

Two days ago, Uganda’s dictator, President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in office for over 34 years, declared himself to be the winner for a sixth term in last week’s highly contested Presidential election in Uganda. Many believe the election was rigged and won by contender, Parliamentarian Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, a singer popular among … More U.S. Ambassador Denied Access to Ugandan Presidential Candidate Bobi Wine under House Arrest

Court Blocks Trump Death to Asylum Rule

January 8, 2021

San Francisco, California (January 8, 2021) – Today the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction blocking a sweeping Trump administration rule that would gut protections for people fleeing persecution and torture. The injunction halts the new rule’s implementation nationwide ahead of its scheduled effective date of Monday, January … More Court Blocks Trump Death to Asylum Rule

American Jewish World Services Implicated in the Allegations against Ugandan Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo

December 26, 2020

Museveni seeks to scapegoat Gays again for his political purposes… weaponizing anti-gay sentiment to rally the vote – while brutally oppressing opposition Last week Ugandan Human Rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo was seized by security forces in Kampala. Some days thereafter it was alleged by Ugandan police that he has been arrested on corruption related charges. … More American Jewish World Services Implicated in the Allegations against Ugandan Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo

New Litigation Challenges Trump’s Cruel Anti-Asylum Law

December 24, 2020

San Francisco, California (December 24, 2020) – Four immigrant rights organizations – Pangea Legal Services, Dolores Street Community Services, Inc., Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), and Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition – have requested a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit challenging a sweeping new rule that will eviscerate access to protection for people … More New Litigation Challenges Trump’s Cruel Anti-Asylum Law

Renowned Human Rights Attorney Abducted or Detained in Uganda

December 23, 2020

This week we received word from Uganda that renowned human rights lawyer and Executive Director of Chapter Four, Nicholas Opiyo, has been abducted and is being held in some form of unlawful detention by Ugandan security forces. There are disputing reports about the nature of the detention.   This comes on the heels of several … More Renowned Human Rights Attorney Abducted or Detained in Uganda

Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

December 21, 2020

Each Year I write a top 10 Heroes and Zeroes. This year it is very simple! Or should I say Pandemic worn down – renders it simple- The Heroes in each and every category are LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees and the Zeroes are Donald Trump,  his grifter family and each and every single Republican … More Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

December 10, 2020

“I think it is even worse. I think he knows that this could be the most revengeful parting gift he is capable of delivering to the human rights world and Americans who care!”  Melanie Nathan San Francisco, CA (December 10, 2020) – Today the Trump administration announced the publication of sweeping regulations that will make it virtually impossible … More Trump’s Parting Gift to Asylum Seekers is abject Hate and Revenge

Celebrating Human Rights Day calls for Complaint

December 10, 2020

In congratulating Bhutan’s Parliament for decriminalizing SOGI today, we call on all Nations who house draconian Colonial laws to do the same… The Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document in the history of human rights, drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions … More Celebrating Human Rights Day calls for Complaint

Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

December 7, 2020

EMERGENCY FUNDING: LGBTQI people are criminalized in over 70 countries around the world, of which over 30 are in Africa. This has resulted in persecution, ostracization and physical attacks by governments, community, and even family and friends. Resulting in the need  to exile from one’s own country to seek safety. The stories are many and overwhelmingly … More Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Together We Stand Holiday Gifting Certificates for LGBTQI Refugees

November 27, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition works with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,Transgender (LGBTQI) individuals who have been displaced due to persecution, discrimination and in many cases extreme violence.   To support African HRC Safe Shelter Programs we offer attractive and informative TOGETHER WE STAND Gifting Certificates ,where supporters can donate in the name of friends, colleagues, and loved … More Together We Stand Holiday Gifting Certificates for LGBTQI Refugees

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces Special Envoy on Holocaust and Antisemitism

November 25, 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, as follows: The Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in human history. Seventy-five years after the liberation of Nazi concentration and extermination camps revealed the full horrors of the Holocaust, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world face rising … More Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Announces Special Envoy on Holocaust and Antisemitism

Uganda’s Dictator Museveni Arrests Opposition Politicians – Free Hon. Nabilah

November 21, 2020

In the middle of the night, my friend, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Ssempala, uploaded a video to her Facebook, with the caption “I am being hounded out” – soon after that – it became apparent that she had been seized and detained in what appears clearly to be a violent unlawful arrest and taken to an unknown … More Uganda’s Dictator Museveni Arrests Opposition Politicians – Free Hon. Nabilah