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
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
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
The escalating civil war in Ethiopia is crossing borders, revealing massacres, and headed toward a major disaster, with a likely refugee crisis that will crush an already stretched system. There are over 70 million displaced people worldwide, a daunting task for UNHCR, agencies, civil, societies and governments involved. Africa is at its limits and refugees … More Ethiopia Headed Toward Disaster and Major Refugee Crisis
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of renowned Kenyan human rights and LGBTQI activist, Sheila Kawira Mwirichia, who was found dead in her house in Lavington. She had been reported missing a few weeks ago. Police assert they are investigating the case. It is reported in NATION Africa: Police said the caretaker … More LGBTQI Activist Found Dead in Kenya
UNHCR is deeply concerned by a number of messages we have received in recent days from individuals outside of Kenya indicating that they have been the recipients of information concerning a small group of refugees and asylum seekers in Kakuma camp who have self-identified as LGBTI and have expressed feelings of trauma and, in some … More UNHCR Statement on Psychosocial Services Includes LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya
UNHCR urges dialogue and peaceful coexistence among refugees in Kakuma refugee camp UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, called today for enhanced dialogue among refugee communities living in Kakuma to help reduce the tensions which have emerged in a specific area of the refugee camp. In recent weeks, UNHCR has received conflicting reports from different communities … More UNHCR Statement on Conflict in Kakuma Refugee Camp Kenya
This short video message, produced by African HRC (AHRC)and written and filmed by LGBTQI refugees in Kakuma can be seen HERE now. Please share this important message. The African HRC Video will also be shown on the main stage of DIGITAL GLOBAL PRIDE 2020 scheduled for June 27th. Many thanks for your participation, support. Please consider making a gift … More Kakuma Pride Video Message
Yes, you may have a sneak preview – though official launch is 11 am PST tomorrow at the event LGBTQ Pride and Migration 2020 tomorrow June 20th for World refugee Day. This Saturday we invite you to join African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) as we celebrate World Refugee Day with PRIDE, honoring the brave and … More African HRC Launches Video Pride Message from LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma Camp
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
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
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
“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
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
ALL Out, African Human Rights Coalition and RefCEA Partner for COVID-19 Pandemic – DONATE HERE. My name is Geofrey and I’m one of the many LGBT+ refugees living in Kenya’s Kakuma camp, the largest refugee settlement in the world. I’m here because I had to flee my home country, Uganda. I would have been severely … More Emergency Funds Sought by ALLOUT African HRC for RefCEA and Kakuma LGBTI Refugees
CAUTION: Please refrain from portraying certain situations inaccurately. We would advise you to be cautious and to verify information and facts prior to circulating unconfirmed COVID-19-related information further. This can cause an enormous amount of harm to everyone. Be sure of your facts before you post them on Social Media. We caution anyone spreading any information to sure off the … More UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya
African Human Rights Coalition – COVID-19 Advisory- HERE PLEASE KEEP VISITING KENYAN MINISTRY OF HEALTH FOR UPDATES: The new Coronavirus – called COVID-19 virus causes fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. There is no need to panic. It is VERY IMPORTANT at this time for community to work cooperatively and in unity. It … More Corona Virus – AHRC Kenyan Refugee and U.S. Embassy Advisory
The Refugee Coalition of East Africa,(RefCEA) a strong body of refugees representing LGBTQI refuges in Kenya, is proving how dialogue and compromise can lead to solutions, through a series of meetings in Kenya. These meetings are undoubtedly serving the best interests of the tenuous LGBTQI refugee program’s ability to survive its stress and tests in … More LGBTI Refugees in Kenya Dialogue for Financial Solutions
RefCEA Responds to Cessation of Funding with a call for a Community Planning Session: First Reported at AFRICAN HRC HERE. Tuesday 10 March 2020, NAIROBI, KENYA – In recent weeks, HIAS (the Refugee Trust of Kenya) announced the cessation of funding for urban refugees located in greater Nairobi. These LGBTQI refugees were transplanted from the … More LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest
From African Human Rights Coalition HERE: A WARNING Regarding Refugee Protests 2020-03-06 | AFrican HRC, Volunteer Staff WARNING: WE ARE URGING LGBTI REFUGEES IN KENYA TO READ OUR ADVISORY BELOW AND CONSIDER REFRAINING FROM PROTESTS ANYWHERE IN KENYA AT THIS TIME WE ARE URGING POTENTIAL FUNDERS OF PROTESTS TO NOTE THIS ADVISORY To ALL refugees in Kenya: … More Protesting In Kenya Dangerous for LGBTI Refugees
With a Focus on Kenya In a recent advisory written for African Human Rights Coalition it is noted that leadership has a heightened responsibility when staging protests, especially under circumstances that have wide far reaching impacts on entire LGBTQI refugee resettlement and protection programs. There has been widespread appreciation by those impacted, who have expressed … More Funding of Protests: Responsible Donors and Funders Context Africa LGBTQI
As Executive Director for African Human Rights Coalition, and as a follow up to the articles that have appeared on this BLOG reporting on the complex and disturbing situation involving LGBTQI refugees in Kenya, and more specifically Kakuma Camp, African HRC has issued 2 advisories on its website. Here is a snippet plus links to … More African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates
In the words of an LGBTQI refugee – from the streets of Kenya… with more to come …. In the dark, I sit where the site of distress is bliss, my thoughts are cadacomn cliffs and I teeter Voices of responsibility ring out bleakly, my eyes can’t close up My brain won’t free me It’s … More 2020 Overwhelmed by LGBTQI Migrant Crisis
In Climate of Escalating Antagonism by Kenyan Authorities toward LGBTI refugees Following the recent endorsement by Kenya’s High Court where it refused to decriminalize Penal Codes criminalizing homosexuality, it is not surprising that President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has yet again demonized Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community by declaring homosexuality as unacceptable to Kenyan … More Kenyan President Demonizes Gays Again
Ambrose Paul, a courageous human rights defender from Juba, in South Sudan has passed away in Nairobi, Kenya where he had been living as a refugee, seeking resettlement through UNHCR to escape the anti-LGBTQI persecution he had suffered in his homeland. Ambrose, a true leader, displayed the heroic resilience that it takes to exile and fight for one’s … More LGBTQI Refugee Dies in Kenya
On 20 March, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) launched the 13th edition of its flagship publication, State-Sponsored Homophobia, authored by Lucas Ramón Mendos. This publication compiles data on laws that affect people on the basis of their sexual orientation – a fundamental resource for researchers, civil society organisations, governments and the general … More ILGA’s 2019 State Sponsored Homophobia Report Reveals Much Needed For LGBTQ Equality & Human Rights
A Critical frontier for Human Rights Advocacy – Melanie Nathan (2019) – the subject of 2 Articles in global press- Harpers and Mamba-Online – elucidating a critical mess for LGBTQI refugees! This week two articles have been written by accomplished journalists at two different corners of the world, reflecting on the stories of refugees attempting to avail … More Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa
The much anticipated ruling in the case challenging the Kenyan anti-Homosexuality Clauses of the Penal Code which criminalizes homosexuality has been postponed. Eric Gitari v Attorney General & another (Petition no. 150 of 2016), brought by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) challenges Sections 162 a) c) 163, 165, of the Kenyan Penal … More Kenyan Court Postpones much anticipated ruling on Criminalization of Homosexuality
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African HRC and other advocates have been requesting UNHCR plan for the safe protection and humane living conditions for LGBTQ refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp for several years, with only slight ad hoc and ultimately ineffective results. The harsh conditions and insecurities led to a protest this week and an attack by Kenyan police on … More UNHCR Calls out the Violent Kenyan Police Attack on LGBT Refugees
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