Category: WORLD

Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

June 16, 2020

June 16th, 1976 seemed like just another regular coolish South African winter’s day. Frustrated by parking problems, I made my way into my law class at the mostly “white only” University of the Witwatersrand, (WITS). Little did I know where this day would lead: A fellow student ran into our class screaming that children were … More Remembering the Soweto Massacre – South Africa’s National Youth Day June 16

Egyptian Lesbian Arrested for Raising Rainbow Flag Dies by Suicide

June 14, 2020

In 2017 it was widely reported that Egyptian police arrested 57 people after they were allegedly seen raising rainbow flags at a concert in Cairo. They were reportedly detained for “promoting sexual deviancy”. Among them was the only woman arrested, a lesbian activist, Sara El Hegazy, who after finding refuge in Canada, according to media and Twitter … More Egyptian Lesbian Arrested for Raising Rainbow Flag Dies by Suicide

LGBTQI Pride on World Refugee Day

June 10, 2020

LGBTQ DIGITAL PRIDE AND MIGRATION 2020 will commemorate the struggles of displaced people and LGBTQ Refugees and is scheduled this year for World Refugee Day, which is celebrated annually on June 20th. World Refugee Day commemorates the struggles of millions of displaced people. The significant population of displaced people who identify as LGBTQI underscores the importance of celebrating … More LGBTQI Pride on World Refugee Day

CGRS Asylum 21St Century Victories

June 5, 2020

Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at Hastings Law School, San Francisco (CGRS), has published two new videos discussing the recent Sixth Circuit victories in Juan Antonio v. Barr and Guzman v. Barr, as a part of their “Asylum in the 21st Century: What’s New?” video series. Take a look: Juan Antonio v. Barr: In this case involving an indigenous … More CGRS Asylum 21St Century Victories

George Floyd’s Murder Reflects on an America that is Unsafe for African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

May 31, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) Statement on how the Murder of George Floyd Denotes America Unsafe for Refugees and Asylum Seekers from African Countries at this time: African Human Rights Coalition expressed its condolences and outrage on social media the moment we saw the video evidencing the cold blooded murder of George Floyd, a black … More George Floyd’s Murder Reflects on an America that is Unsafe for African Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Because I love You: COVID-19 Study Shows One Week Cost 54,000 Lives

May 21, 2020

If the measures had been in place two weeks earlier, on March 1, the death toll would be 54,000 lower. Friends I am posting this because I love you! Lets not make the same mistake twice and truth be known we cannot fully trust public officials – especially those who seem to place money before … More Because I love You: COVID-19 Study Shows One Week Cost 54,000 Lives

Ugandan LGBTI Detainees Released from Prison after 49 Days of Torture

May 20, 2020

Nineteen young men from the Children of the Sun Foundation (COSF), spent 49 days of hell and torture in Kitalya Prison, Uganda, where they were denied the right to lawyer visits. We now know why: As the young men emerged from the prison this week, after a lengthy battle in the Court and the subsequent … More Ugandan LGBTI Detainees Released from Prison after 49 Days of Torture

Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

May 20, 2020

You can Help by taking action together: Right now, Members of Congress are again discussing legislation to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must make sure that refugees are included in receiving that support. Ask your senator to include refugees in COVID-19 relief legislation. The economic effects of this crisis are disproportionate, and refugees … More Please Take Action: U.S. Congress Must Help Refugees in COVID-19 Planning

IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

May 16, 2020

IDAHOT – International Day Against Transphobia and Homophobia, IDAHOT: 2020 Theme BREAK THE SILENCE Today, May 17th is the day millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT, a special day, to raise awareness and commit further to impact the right to liberty, equality, justice and happiness for LGBTI people around the globe. However violence … More IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

Ugandan Detained Youths Subject to Torture of Anal Exams after Raid of Homeless Shelter

May 15, 2020

AND CALLS FOR ACTION Today, after a lengthy Court battle to attain access to detained clients, the Ugandan Prisons authorities gave  HRAPF’s legal advocates unfettered access to the COSF-19 at Kitalya Mini Maxi Prison. The group were arrested after Ugandan police opportunistically used the COVID-19 emergency to target gays in its ongoing persecutory hunt of … More Ugandan Detained Youths Subject to Torture of Anal Exams after Raid of Homeless Shelter

STOP REFUGEE BULLYING: Slander, Vilification, Lies, Hate Inciting Violence on Social Media Crimes in Kenya

May 13, 2020

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

COVID-19 Emergency Response by ALLOUT, African HRC, REFCEA to LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp

May 11, 2020

Here is the current posting from African Human Rights Coalition website, with thanks for COVID-19 RESPONSE: African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC – AHRC) would like to thank all partners, donors and refugees involved in the various COVID-19 emergency related food and sanitization distributions at Kakuma Camp during April and May. DONATIONS TO ALLOUT FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE … More COVID-19 Emergency Response by ALLOUT, African HRC, REFCEA to LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp

Tanzania’s president idiocy as three MPs die and Covid-19 spikes

May 2, 2020

Tanzania’s president is under pressure after three MPs die in 11 days and Covid-19 cases spike. Tanzania’s president John Magufuli has described Covid-19 as a “demon” and declared all places of worship remain open because they are where “true healing” will be found. Magufuli has also been relatively relaxed about instituting movement restrictions or lockdowns … More Tanzania’s president idiocy as three MPs die and Covid-19 spikes

Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Critical Information on Trump’s Muslim and African Ban

May 1, 2020

State Department, CBP Illegally Withholding Records on Immigration Ban Waivers and Purported “Worldwide Review” Washington, DC — Today, Muslim Advocates and the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) sued the U.S. State Department and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for failing to respond to a records request for essential information about the Trump … More Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Critical Information on Trump’s Muslim and African Ban

Fun-Filled Event at the Heart of Alight, AHRC and Refugee LGBTI Community Alliance in COVID-19 Response

April 30, 2020

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

Police at Kakuma Send LGBTI Protesters back to Shelters under COVID-19 Health Concerns

April 30, 2020

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

Citing COVID-19 AHRC Urges Kakuma Participants of LGBTI Sit-In to Return to Shelters

April 29, 2020

“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

Certificate of Urgency issued in Ugandan Anti-Gay COVID-19 Case

April 28, 2020

Further to our reporting on the case against the COSF-19 where on Friday 24th April 2020, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) filed a case before the Civil Division of the High Court of Uganda challenging the denial of the 19 LGBT persons currently on remand at Kitalya Mini Maxi Prison access to their … More Certificate of Urgency issued in Ugandan Anti-Gay COVID-19 Case

UNHCR Response to COVID-19 urging International Community support for refugees

April 25, 2020

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

Lawyers Denied Access to LGBTI Group in Ugandan Prison Pending Trial

April 24, 2020

Today, Friday 24th April 2020, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) filed a case before the Civil Division of the High Court of Uganda challenging the denial of the 19 LGBT persons currently on remand at Kitalya Mini Maxi Prison access to their lawyers by refusing to grant permission to the lawyers to access … More Lawyers Denied Access to LGBTI Group in Ugandan Prison Pending Trial

Pata Pata Gets COVID19 Hopeful Lyrics by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo

April 24, 2020

Once called the “world’s most defiantly joyful song”, Miriam Makeba’s ‘Pata Pata’ (meaning “touch”) has been re-recorded by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo, to spread information and hope in a time of Coronavirus. Without any alteration to chords or syllables, though with several changes to the lyrics, ‘Pata Pata’ will be re-released by UNICEF across … More Pata Pata Gets COVID19 Hopeful Lyrics by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo

Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

April 23, 2020

FORMAL COMMENT TO GOVERNMENT PORTAL OBJECTING TO CDC RULE IN LETTER BELOW Melanie Nathan: “African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC- African HRC) has submitted the following comment and objection to the CDC Rule change that is harming all asylum seekers, especially the most marginalized who make their way to the Southern Borders of the United States. … More Fighting for Asylum Seeker Rights Against the Order – See letter to CDC’s Kyle McGowan

Security and Assistance Support for LGBTI in Uganda during COVID-19 Pandemic

April 3, 2020

NOTE: Please make use of the COMMUNIQUE below if you are LGBTQI and/or have any human rights issues in Uganda during COVID-19.  Anyone reporting to these entities are welcome to copy CASEahrc@gmail.com and to report your situation and the result of your outreach to African Human Rights Coalition, which is deferring to organizations on the ground in … More Security and Assistance Support for LGBTI in Uganda during COVID-19 Pandemic

Emergency Funds Sought by ALLOUT African HRC for RefCEA and Kakuma LGBTI Refugees

March 31, 2020

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

Mayor Beats Homeless Youths Detained in Uganda Raid on LGBTI Safe Shelter

March 31, 2020

STATEMENT ON THE RAID OF THE CHILDREN OF THE SUN FOUNDATION SHELTER FOR LGBT YOUTHS IN UGANDA- 3/31/2020 Introduction and overview On the morning of 29th March, a shelter for LGBT youth operated by Children of the Sun Foundations (COSF) was raided by residents, and security forces. 23 people found at the shelter were arrested. … More Mayor Beats Homeless Youths Detained in Uganda Raid on LGBTI Safe Shelter

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