Category: Africa

Swahili makes history as first African language recognized by Twitter

May 9, 2018

Twitter has officially recognized Swahili as a language. Well that does not mean that Twitter has yet added Swahili to language settings. Though the social media platform now recognizes Swahili words and offers translation of the widely spoken and written East African language. Since last week, Twitter started detecting the language in tweets and subsequently … More Swahili makes history as first African language recognized by Twitter

America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…

May 1, 2018

Some international news … absolved from cabin fever – you know that insular stuck in MERICA feeling – read: Thousands strand in flood: Central Somalia has experienced heavy rains which have flooded parts of the country. The resultant effect has been the displacement of thousands. The United Nations estimates that almost half a million people … More America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…

Some News Americans May Not Be Interested In

April 25, 2018

Cameroon is not an ideal place for journalists to thrive in, due to laws that constantly threaten their freedom and independence, a recent report by a media rights group has said. Imagine that!  The 2018 Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders said Cameroonian authorities have imposed a climate of fear and self-censorship on … More Some News Americans May Not Be Interested In

Why Sacramento State LGBTQI Community Should Welcome the President of Ghana

April 24, 2018

Our responsibility as American LGBTQI on the global front is to first and foremost follow the lead and direction of the Ghanaian gay community … In writing this response to “EDITORIAL: Sac State shouldn’t break bread with repressive leaders – Persecution of LGBTQ, …….”,  and the Article of Claire Morgan, Managing editor, published in the online Sacramento State student … More Why Sacramento State LGBTQI Community Should Welcome the President of Ghana

LGBT Protests in London at Commonwealth Meeting Calling for Decriminalization

April 19, 2018

Global human rights activists and LGBT community in London launched a robust protest today at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, urging Commonwealth leaders to scrap anti-LGBT laws. Commonwealth leaders were blasted for refusing to discuss the persecution of at least 100 million LGBT people who live in Commonwealth countries where being gay is a crime. Protestors … More LGBT Protests in London at Commonwealth Meeting Calling for Decriminalization

Republican Senator John Kennedy Assails Facebook with Offensive Racist Swahili Comment

April 15, 2018

“This disgustingly ill-placed comment has no place in our American Congress and John Kennedy should be censured for it!” Melanie Nathan, as ED of African Human Rights Coalition. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and chief executive of Facebook, faced a tough crowd on the House side of Capitol Hill in his two days of congressional testimony. … More Republican Senator John Kennedy Assails Facebook with Offensive Racist Swahili Comment

Kenya Appeal Court Rules to End Forced Anal Exams of Men Suspected of Being Gay

March 22, 2018

In a significant win for human rights in Kenya, the Court of Appeals has ruled that the use of forced anal examinations by the state is unlawful. On Thursday 22n d March 2018, a three judge bench handed down a ruling in a case appealing the state’s cruel and degrading treatment of two Kenyan men … More Kenya Appeal Court Rules to End Forced Anal Exams of Men Suspected of Being Gay

Unsolved Robberies and Murders as Uganda Fails to Protect Human Rights Defenders

March 22, 2018

Break-ins and violence against security personnel of human rights organizations seems endemic in Uganda, as elucidated in an article penned by an Ugandan human rights defender, who concludes that the State is failing to protect its human rights community, with police refusing to see human rights defenders as community partners: ADRIAN JJUUKO, Executive director of Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) … More Unsolved Robberies and Murders as Uganda Fails to Protect Human Rights Defenders

Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein

February 26, 2018

California Democrats rebuked Sen. Dianne Feinstein at their annual convention this weekend, denying her the party’s endorsement in this year’s Senate race, and giving a majority of their votes to her apparently more liberal primary challenger, Kevin de León. While many may slot Feinstein in the ‘moderate’ zone, I have seen her, through the years, as … More Why this Progressive Liberal Endorses and Will Vote for Senator Dianne Feinstein

Kenyan Court to Hear Case That Challenges Anti-LGBTI Penal Codes

February 20, 2018

This week, the Kenyan Court will be hearing a matter, at Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, to challenge the Colonial Penal Codes that in essence serve to criminalize homosexuality and target the LGBTI community. The case has been brought by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC). The case seeks to enforce the … More Kenyan Court to Hear Case That Challenges Anti-LGBTI Penal Codes

Ugandan Human Rights Organization Suffers Second Break-In

February 9, 2018

Police Failed to Solve First Break In Where Guard was Murdered, Despite Video-Cam Photos of Perpetrators  Approximately 2 years ago a break in occurred at the offices of  HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS AND PROMOTION FORUM-UGANDA (HRAPF), a human rights organization in Kampala, Uganda.  A guard was murdered. The faces of the perpetrators were caught on camera. (see … More Ugandan Human Rights Organization Suffers Second Break-In

New President of Zimbabwe Unlikely Good for Gays

January 26, 2018

Snipers took up positions around the Zimbabwe stadium amid tight security as jubilant Mnangagwa supporters streamed in to hail the new President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as he was sworn in on Friday and LGBT community expect a replay of Mugabe’s virulent anti-homosexuality stance. The man known as “The Crocodile” wore a dark suit, red … More New President of Zimbabwe Unlikely Good for Gays

Gay Man in Stabbing Attack Stuck without Status

January 18, 2018

The pleas for help continue to pour in from countries around the world, where people are attacked for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). These are usually people who have been shunned by family, friends and government, alike, with nowhere to turn. While you may feel that there is nothing you can do to … More Gay Man in Stabbing Attack Stuck without Status

Ugandan Diplomat Expelled from US After Beating his Wife

January 12, 2018

Uganda’s ministry of Foreign Affairs has on Friday confirmed reports that the United States of America has expelled a Ugandan diplomat Dickson Ogwang from Washington DC.  Ogwang’s forced return from the U.S was confirmed by spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Margaret Kafeero, who refused to divulge details of the diplomatic incident. However, it is … More Ugandan Diplomat Expelled from US After Beating his Wife

Huck Reflection on Vulnerable LGBT Refugees in Kenya

November 13, 2017

“Kenya has become a ‘safe haven’ for those fleeing war and famine in neighbouring states. But in secret hideaways and temporary homes, LGBT refugees are being forced – once again – to hide their true selves instead of walking out into the world with pride …” Article by Jacob Kushner – Huck Magazine DONATE TO … More Huck Reflection on Vulnerable LGBT Refugees in Kenya

South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality

November 2, 2017

African Human Rights Coalition Reports: Tanzania has deported three South African lawyers after they were accused of promoting homosexuality. They were among 13 people arrested on October 17 for taking part in a meeting to discuss challenging a law stopping private health clinics from providing HIV and Aids services.  However, Sibongile Ndashe says they had no right … More South African Lawyers Deported From Tanzania Amidst Accusations of Promoting Homosexuality

African HRC Reports on New Delays for LGBTI Refugees After Trump Suspension Ends

November 1, 2017

In my capacity as executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC), where we advocate for LGBT asylum seekers and refugees from African countries, I report as follows on the African HRC website: : Since the suspension on the United States refugee program has expired, the Trump administration has ordered new measures, supposedly a stronger vetting … More African HRC Reports on New Delays for LGBTI Refugees After Trump Suspension Ends

Trump Admin Failing LGBTI Refugees Bound for U.S.A.

October 24, 2017

Here is what the BBC Reports today (And I have chosen the BBC report to make my point for good reason): “US President Donald Trump will allow refugee admissions to the US to resume while announcing stricter rules for vetting applicants, US media report. It comes as the 120-day ban on refugees expires on Tuesday. … More Trump Admin Failing LGBTI Refugees Bound for U.S.A.

Ugandan MPs Attacked in Parliament as Veil of Democracy Lifts to Reflect Dictatorship

September 27, 2017

Security Forces Attack Opposition Members in Parliament: Controversy has loomed these past weeks in Uganda, as Museveni Parliamentary Member loyalists, obviously at the behest of the President,  have sought to strip the Ugandan Constitution of Article 102 (b) which bars people who are above 75 years from running for the presidency. President Yoweri Museveni, who … More Ugandan MPs Attacked in Parliament as Veil of Democracy Lifts to Reflect Dictatorship

Outing Lies on Social Media – Keep Your Guard Up When Approached by Strangers

September 23, 2017

I can fill a book with instances like this. I writing to this for the sake of creating awareness. I realized at the outset this person was a fake and I led him down a path to prove it. Here is the exchange on Twitter:- Meet Mr. Donald Murphy from San Diego: Here is the … More Outing Lies on Social Media – Keep Your Guard Up When Approached by Strangers

Trumps Muslim Ban To Be Renewed to 10 Countries

September 22, 2017

We are receiving reports that the Trump administration will institute travel restrictions for approximately ten countries by Sunday, when the travel ban for six majority Muslim countries is set to expire. These reports come as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in the Muslim and refugee ban case in a few weeks. This travel ban is … More Trumps Muslim Ban To Be Renewed to 10 Countries

Zanzibar Arrests 20 LGBTI People at HIV/AIDS Education Workshop

September 17, 2017

Police in Zanzibar are reporting that 20 people have been arrested in the Tanzania semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar in an anti-homosexuality raid. The 12 women and eight men were picked up in a hotel where they were receiving training about HIV/Aids education programs. Earlier this year, authorities banned private health clinics from providing HIV/Aids services, … More Zanzibar Arrests 20 LGBTI People at HIV/AIDS Education Workshop

Report Finds Arabic Media Perpetuates Homophobia Transphobia in Region

August 30, 2017

OutRight Action International has launched a new report titled, ‘Arab Mass Media: A Monitoring Report Looking at Sexuality and Gender Identity in Arabic Media from 2014 to 2017.’ The report is available in both English and Arabic. The report monitors widespread local and national newspapers in 14 countries in the Arab region, radio, TV channels, … More Report Finds Arabic Media Perpetuates Homophobia Transphobia in Region

U.S. Refugee Program Can Continue under SCOTUS Ban Decision

June 27, 2017

 So what should happen to LGBT and other Refugees already accepted by the USA for resettlement after the US Supreme Court decided to allow a limited portion of the Muslim Travel Ban to stand: …. Read the position of CGRS in their response and the bottom line is we too at African Human Rights Coalition … More U.S. Refugee Program Can Continue under SCOTUS Ban Decision

LGBT Refugees and Asylum Seekers to March at San Francisco Pride

June 22, 2017

As Vice President of San Francisco Pride Board, I am really proud that SF Pride has provided the platform for this message of resistance, love and this opportunity for awareness: This message is published on the African HRC website as a message of love and hope to LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers, in Africa around … More LGBT Refugees and Asylum Seekers to March at San Francisco Pride

When it Comes to LGBT Refugees here is Food for Thought

June 15, 2017

The work for African Human Rights Coalition has been extensive these past few months – here is a brief report: 1) After weeks of preparation, we  have established a new fund appeal starting today: We have been working for some time to establish a plan to support  200 LGBTI refugees in Kakuma Camp. They need … More When it Comes to LGBT Refugees here is Food for Thought

2017 Hearst National Championships Winners Announced

June 8, 2017

JUNE 5, 2017 HEARST – 2017 HEARST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED Special congratulations to first place winner of the Hearst National Championship Annual Multi-Media Competition: Claire Collins, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who themed an LGBT refugee.  I was also pleased to participate in the short winning piece – especially because it gives this … More 2017 Hearst National Championships Winners Announced