Category: Africa

Concern as COVID-19 Restrictions Trigger Escalated Human Rights Abuses in Uganda

March 30, 2020

Following my post yesterday ( referenced below) where Ugandan authorities raided a homeless shelter, beating people and threatening beatings in exchange for confessions as to sexuality, reflects not only an abuse of basic human rights, but also an insidious and opportunistic excuse to cite COVID-19 as a justification to victimize the most vulnerable.  As well … More Concern as COVID-19 Restrictions Trigger Escalated Human Rights Abuses in Uganda

LGBTI and All Refugees in grave danger during COVID-19 Pandemic

March 29, 2020

Among the most predictably vulnerable during the Corona Virus pandemic is clearly the world’s refugee and migration population and the most vulnerable of all refugees are LGBTQI refugees, worldwide. Over 70 countries criminalize LGBTI people for their sexuality and gender identity. Many have compromised immune systems, major trauma, and underlying medical conditions, all an added … More LGBTI and All Refugees in grave danger during COVID-19 Pandemic

UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya

March 25, 2020

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

On the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act

March 17, 2020

Message from African Human Rights Coalition on this Historic anniversary: “Today is the 40th anniversary of the Refugee Act, the landmark legislation signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on March 17, 1980, that established the contemporary U.S. refugee resettlement program and asylum system. This legislation reflects the values of the American people. That we are bound … More On the 40th Anniversary of the U.S. Refugee Act

Corona Virus – AHRC Kenyan Refugee and U.S. Embassy Advisory

March 16, 2020

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

LGBTI Refugees in Kenya Dialogue for Financial Solutions

March 14, 2020

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

Time for African Governments to step up for LGBTQI Populace

March 13, 2020

Modern Ghana Reports: Africa’s policies hold key to LGBT rights on the continent: here’s how – By Boniface Ushie & Chimaraoke Izugbara & Frederick Wekesah – The Conversation:- Questions of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression have continued to divide opinion across the globe. This is primarily driven by legal, cultural and religious beliefs … More Time for African Governments to step up for LGBTQI Populace

LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest

March 9, 2020

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

Protesting In Kenya Dangerous for LGBTI Refugees

March 6, 2020

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

Asking for Investigation on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants

March 5, 2020

50+ Groups Release Letter Asking HFAC to Investigate Report on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants Washington, DC – Earlier today, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders and immigration experts gathered to call on the House of Representatives to investigate the Trump administration’s termination of TPS in coordination with his 2020 re-election campaign. … More Asking for Investigation on Termination of TPS After Death of Deported Salvadoran Immigrants

Elephant Refugees to be Screened at Sonoma International Film Festival

March 3, 2020

Updated: The below Article was written  before the COVID-19 postponement of the Sonoma Film Festival’s decision to screen its Festival Online. Happily Elephant Refugees will be screened on the opening night platform , July 30, 2020: Sales have opened NOW as a package with another film, The Guardian Elephant Warriors Of Reteti. BOTH FILMS CAN BE … More Elephant Refugees to be Screened at Sonoma International Film Festival

Funding of Protests: Responsible Donors and Funders Context Africa LGBTQI

March 1, 2020

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

The Pain of Trump’s Expanded Muslim & Africa Ban

February 10, 2020

On January 31st, the Trump administration announced their decision to extend the already-devastating Muslim Ban to Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. In addition to ongoing litigation against the Muslim Ban, this Wednesday, February 12, the House Judiciary Committee plans to mark-up the No Ban Act (HR 2214), introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) … More The Pain of Trump’s Expanded Muslim & Africa Ban

African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

January 20, 2020

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

Trump Loses again as Judge blocks allowing State, Local Officials to Veto Resettlement

January 15, 2020

Judge Blocks Executive Order Giving Veto Power to State and Local Officials in Refugee Resettlement Three faith-based resettlement agencies brought the challenge against the unprecedented order (Greenbelt, MD) – Today, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit HIAS v. Trump, blocking an executive order that for the first time in the history … More Trump Loses again as Judge blocks allowing State, Local Officials to Veto Resettlement

Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

January 12, 2020

LEILAH BABIRYE Gwe Is Ye Nze, Lekka Mbele Nze (You Are Not Me, Let Me Be Me) 15 January – 28 February 2020 Artist dialogue with human rights advocate Melanie Nathan: Saturday 18 January, 10 AM  Rebecca Camacho Presents 794 Sutter Street San Francisco, CA 94109 UNTITLED, ART San Francisco  Booth C11 16 January – … More Ugandan Artist Brings Asylum LGBTQ Dialogue to San Francisco Debut

Who to Blame as US Ambassador to Zambia Withdrawn

December 26, 2019

The State Department is pulling the US ambassador to Zambia after the country’s president objected to the ambassador’s harsh criticism of the government’s record on gay rights and corruption. This rare and extraordinary move indicates a vast change in American strength of values abroad as we acquiesce to complaints of this nature. Earlier this month, US … More Who to Blame as US Ambassador to Zambia Withdrawn

Queer Displacements Conference: Refugees and Ongoing Hardship in Australia

December 14, 2019

Catching up on the world. There is a lot going on – and here is a start: The Queer Displacements: Sexuality, Migration and Exile 2019 conference (Queer Displacements) was organised by two queer refugee women, emerging academics and activists Renee Dixson and Tina Dixson. Queer Displacements took place on the Traditional lands of the Ngunnawal … More Queer Displacements Conference: Refugees and Ongoing Hardship in Australia

Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

December 14, 2019

Zambia Complains to U.S. After Ambassador Condemns Jailing of Gay Couple- And how to start changing the narrative! The president of Zambia plans to issue an official complaint to the United States over remarks its ambassador made after a homosexual couple were jailed for 15 years in the African country. Read my Dec 01 Article … More Zambian President Complains About U.S. Ambassador Gay Support

Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma and Discrimination in South Africa

December 12, 2019

Despite having one of the more progressive legal landscapes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, many LGBT South Africans experience barriers to economic inclusion based on their race, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and expression. Join us in a discussion of highlights from the new, groundbreaking report, The Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma … More Economic Cost of LGBT Stigma and Discrimination in South Africa

African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

December 11, 2019

While in general I am  pleased that we are covering some serious issues, make sure manner and implementation is not imposing – Melanie Nathan of African Human Rights Coalition  is urging caution on LGBTQI Global Rights – Melanie Nathan The Washington Blade Notes: “Three U.S. senators on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require the … More African HRC Urges Caution with Introduction by the US Senate Global ACT

Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

December 3, 2019

HOW GABORONE PRIDE MAKES CASE FOR WHY LGBTQI TOURIST AND GROUPS SHOULD SUPPORT BOTSWANA Botswana is a country I love. I visited often as a young child. My late mom is now buried just across the border in Motswedi, (formally other names, then Union of South Africa, then Bophuthatswana, and now South Africa) with great … More Interview with Chairperson of the Historic Gaborone Pride in Botswana

Decriminalized Botswana Holds Inaugural Pride in Gaborone

December 1, 2019

Hey World- check this out –  PRIDE in Botswana is now OUT in the open and does not mean a Safari or a Pride of Lions! Welcome to Gaborone Pride in Botswana. In the wake of this years’ historic decriminalization of homosexuality, Botswana’s gay community held its inaugural Pride in Gabarone. Here are the pictures … More Decriminalized Botswana Holds Inaugural Pride in Gaborone

 History Made as Transgender Woman Awarded Damages by Zimbabwe High Court

December 1, 2019

The High Court in Bulawayo in a groundbreaking judgment, awarded damages against Zimbabwean police in favor of a transgender woman. Honorable Justice Bere awarded Ricky Nathanson, a transgender woman and activist $400,000 in damages for unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution and emotional distress. Ms. Nathanson sued Zimbabwe police in 2014, after she was arrested by six riot … More  History Made as Transgender Woman Awarded Damages by Zimbabwe High Court

World AIDS Day Reminds Criminalization of Sexuality Impedes Eradication of HIV AIDS

December 1, 2019

On this World AIDS Day we are reminded that it has been almost 40 years since the HIV epidemic hit, taking the lives of so many of our loved ones.  While much progress has been made and AIDS is no longer an absolute death sentence, there is still so much more to be done, as … More World AIDS Day Reminds Criminalization of Sexuality Impedes Eradication of HIV AIDS

Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

December 1, 2019

TWO men who were caught having sex at a lodge in Kapiri Mposhi in 2017 have been sentenced by the High Court in Lusaka, Zambia to 15 years imprisonment. Japhet Chataba, 28, a carpenter of Ndeke Township, and Steven Samba, of Kasenshi in Kapiri Mposhi. The Judge ruled that the men had committed an “act against … More Zambia Jails Gays for 15 Years and US Ambassador Calls Out Hypocrisy

Hand in Hand the most Courageous People on the Planet

November 26, 2019

LGBTQI Asylum Seekers and Refugees – At Thanksgiving, we are grateful for the honor to work hand in hand with some of the most courageous people on the Planet- Dear Friends, THANK YOU – Let us talk gratitude! Thank you for your ongoing support of African Human Rights Coalition: At African HRC we provide humanitarian services, resources, … More Hand in Hand the most Courageous People on the Planet

Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

November 21, 2019

The  Refugee Protection Act (RPA) of 2019, led by Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Zoe Lofgren and cosponsored by more than two dozen members of Congress seeks to restore justice to the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems and revive our country’s founding commitment to offer safe haven for those fleeing persecution.  Congress must support … More Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019