Tag: Asylum

ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

November 5, 2014

Geneva, November 3, 2014 As Uganda debates the re-introduction of an Anti-Homosexuality Bill, ORAM publishes a comprehensive Country of Origin Report on the conditions of LGBTI individuals in the country ORAM has published an extensive report titled “Country of Origin Report: Sexual and Gender Minorities – Uganda.” The  report includes an extensive case law section, … More ORAM’s New Uganda report on Sexual Orientation and Gender Minorities

LGBTI For The Record | Via Facebook Posts by Melanie Nathan | Advocacy and News

November 2, 2014

Posts – 11/2/2014 #‎LGBT‬ community – OK here comes the huge big ask, an asylum seeker is coming into San Francisco/ Bay Area/ North Bay/ East Bay – in a few days time. We plan to raise money to help with his support. However for the a month or 2 we are going to need … More LGBTI For The Record | Via Facebook Posts by Melanie Nathan | Advocacy and News

Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

October 22, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, October 22, 2014. Two Ugandans charged under a draconian anti-homosexuality Penal Code in Uganda have had all charges against them dismissed by the Magistrates Court, in Buganda. The charges in the case of Uganda v. Mukisa Kim and Mukasa Jackson, Criminal Case No. 0085 of 2014 have been dropped as the prosecution, … More Ugandan Case Dismissed Against Two Accused Under Anti-Gay Penal Code

The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates

October 10, 2014

I have never understood why we in the USA fail this sector of the community | Does the Taboo persist in America?  By Melanie Nathan, Oct 10, 2014. Americans may wonder why African human rights defenders refer to the LGBT community as the LGBTI community.  Whenever I write ‘LGBT’ – for the most part always … More The i in LGBTi and a Wake up Call to USA LGBTQ Advocates

Urgent Petition to Save Another Ugandan Lesbian About to be deported from United Kingdom

August 19, 2014

URGENT PETITION – See link below-  Se updated note below By Melanie Nathan, August 19, 2104. An Ugandan lesbian may be deported on Friday, unless we act fast. When Burton Youth for Christ members found out that their trusted interned employee of 10 months was a lesbian, they suddenly turned on her, fearing that she … More Urgent Petition to Save Another Ugandan Lesbian About to be deported from United Kingdom

Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

June 4, 2014

UPDATED:  July 31, 2014. Harriet Nakigudde has just won her appeal. She has won asylum in the United Kingdom after a hard fought battle by activists and amazing attorneys and a compassionate and experienced barrister who came to her aid. This highlights the cruelty of the UK system – that puts already traumatized people through hell … More Another Lesbian Denied Asylum Under Threat of Immediate Removal back to Uganda

What we can do as dramatic increase in persecution of Ugandan Gays since Anti-Homosexuality Act

May 16, 2014

Updated 7/9/2014. This post had been removed to archives private because it is an OLD post dated May 16, 2014, and its is being misused by some as a reference for a current Relief Fund , which it is not. It referred to an older relief fund campaign which has since closed. A new relief … More What we can do as dramatic increase in persecution of Ugandan Gays since Anti-Homosexuality Act

Swedish Authorities Complicit in Persecuting LGBT Uganda by Refusing Workshop Visa

May 4, 2014

Sweden and other allies have a duty to act and not just talk – you need to practice what you preach , says Bob Bwana By Melanie Nathan, May 04, 2014. LGBT activists are very upset about the denial by Sweden of a visa to a Ugandan human rights defender. It is being reported from … More Swedish Authorities Complicit in Persecuting LGBT Uganda by Refusing Workshop Visa

Asylum Seekers Sue Obama Administration to End Unjust Long Waits

April 18, 2014

Department of Homeland Security Routinely Violates Laws Requiring Timely Reasonable Fear Interview Posted by Melanie Nathan April 17, 2014 A lawsuit has been filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, alleging the government violated the law in thousands of cases, with individuals waiting in detention for many months for a ruling on their … More Asylum Seekers Sue Obama Administration to End Unjust Long Waits

Refugee Action vs UK Home Office policy on asylum wins support rates ruling

April 16, 2014

CONGRATULATIONS and CALL TO ACTION – See BRING BACK DIGNITY CAMPAIGN BELOW Posted by Melanie Nathan, April 16, 2014. A High Court judge in the United Kingdom, ruled that current Home Office policy on asylum support rates is unlawful. Dave Garratt ,Chief Executive, of Refugee Action, Victoria Charity Centretook , U.K., took the Home Office … More Refugee Action vs UK Home Office policy on asylum wins support rates ruling

European Parliament resolution Calling for Action against Ugandan and Nigerian Anti-Gay laws

March 13, 2014

The Condemnation of Uganda and Nigeria | where is the U.S.A.? By Melanie Nathan, 13 March 2014 Today, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning new laws to imprison lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals in Nigeria and Uganda. The resolution calls on the European Commission and Member States to take immediate action in the fields of … More European Parliament resolution Calling for Action against Ugandan and Nigerian Anti-Gay laws

NPR Talks About Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill Impacting Asylum to the U.S.A.

February 26, 2014

‘A Lot Of People Are In Panic Mode’ By NPR, February 26, 2014. Today this report appeared on NPR Radio. “But winning asylum in the United States is no easy feat. Granted, the U.S. has recognized LGBT status as grounds for asylum since 1994, but the government keeps no records on how many claims it … More NPR Talks About Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill Impacting Asylum to the U.S.A.

Not yet signed the Ugandan President Juggles the Anti-Homosexuality Ball

February 23, 2014

By Melanie Nathan, February 23, 2014. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed the Ugandan parliament on December 20, 2013. Although the Washington Blade and others report that the Anti-Homosexuality Bill has been signed, sources from the State House in Uganda inform us is that it has yet to be signed by president Museveni. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of … More Not yet signed the Ugandan President Juggles the Anti-Homosexuality Ball

U.S.A. Perpetuates the Criminalization of LGBT Asylum Seekers

January 8, 2014

Shocking revelation as we in the U.S.A. further the persecution LGBT Asylum seekers through systematic recriminalization of those seeking to escape unjust criminalization! By Melanie Nathan, January 08, 2013. Seventy Six countries criminalize homosexuality. Most recently we have focused on, amongst others,  Russia, India, Uganda, Gambia, Cameroon, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Belize and Nigerian. We  are … More U.S.A. Perpetuates the Criminalization of LGBT Asylum Seekers

Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates

January 6, 2014

What you can do to help LGBT Asylum Seekers – PLEASE SIGN THE CRITICAL PETITION BELOW By Melanie Nathan, January 6, 2014. Faith Network Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates | LGBT-FAN and the LGBT Congressional Caucus address needs of LGBT asylum seekers On January 8th, there will be a  Faith Network … More Capitol Hill Briefing on Asylum as LGBT Persecution Escalates

European Union Court of Justice rules lesbian and gay asylum seekers can’t be told ‘go home and hide’

November 7, 2013

By Oram, November 07, 2013. Lesbian and gay asylum seekers in the European Union can no longer be told to go home and pretend they’re straight. The European Union Court of Justice ruled Thursday, November 7th, that ‘voluntary discretion’ is not an acceptable rationale for rejecting asylum claims based on persecution grounded in sexual orientation. … More European Union Court of Justice rules lesbian and gay asylum seekers can’t be told ‘go home and hide’

Global LGBTI refugee organization joins Europe’s premier refugee network

October 16, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, October 17, 2013. San Francisco, 16 October 2013 – Europe’s leading civil society network for refugees accepted its first LGBTI member, last week. ORAM (Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration) – is proud to announce that the European Council of Refugees & Exiles (ECRE) Board has voted to accept ORAM into … More Global LGBTI refugee organization joins Europe’s premier refugee network

New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

September 6, 2013

Lesbian Activist Speaks about Russia’s Continued Defiance with worsening New Laws Against Gays and asylum being the only answer By Melanie Nathan, September 06, 2013. A Russian lawmaker has proposed a bill that would deny gay parents custody over their children. The draft bill, published on parliament’s website on Thursday, would make the “fact of … More New Russian Bill Seeks to Take Biological Children Away From Gays and Lesbians

Putin’s Gay Ambassador Alekseev to Meet with Putin

September 4, 2013

Czar meets Czar | After all the only legitimacy left for Alekseev is his stature in anti-semitic circles By Melanie Nathan, September 04, 2013. The highly controversial Russian gay activist, Nikolai Alekseev, (also known as Nikolay Alekseyev,) who recently found himself the center of a storm amongst LGBT communities in Russia and around the world, noted … More Putin’s Gay Ambassador Alekseev to Meet with Putin

EU recognizes Gay asylees as new social group

July 16, 2013

As a result of asylum applications lodged by three gay men from Sierra Leone, Uganda and Senegal, seeking refugee status in the Netherlands, with all noting they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries based on their sexual orientation, the EU’s Advocate General,  Eleanor Sharpston, said on July 11, that applicants for … More EU recognizes Gay asylees as new social group

Lesbian dies after being deported by United Kingdom back to Uganda

March 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, March 12, 2013. Activists in the United Kingdom are blaming the United Kingdom Border Agency for deporting an asylum seeker who has now according to Pink News, died in Uganda, “after she claimed she was at risk of homophobic persecution,” if she returned. When it comes to LGBT Asylum the UK is … More Lesbian dies after being deported by United Kingdom back to Uganda

World Refugee Day Highlights Failure to Protect LGBTI Refugees

June 18, 2012

First survey of international refugee assistance organizations finds widespread failures to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex refugees. Posted by Melanie Nathan, June 18, 2012. San Francisco – As increasing numbers of refugees flee persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, the Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) and Indiana University … More World Refugee Day Highlights Failure to Protect LGBTI Refugees

ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

April 19, 2012

By Melanie Nathan, April 19, 2012 The Organization for Refuge, Asylum & Migration (ORAM) released its latest publication entitled ‘Rainbow Bridges: A Community Guide to Rebuilding the Lives of LGBTI Refugees and Asylum Seekers. ‘ This is the first guide of its kind directed at the United States lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and affirming … More ORAM Releases New Publication to help LGBT Refugees and Asylees

Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

February 3, 2012

Editor’s Advocacy Note:   The Obama Administration has indicated via recent memo and speeches the strong support for International LGBT human rights. As an activist in this arena we implore upon the administration to not mince their words and to show action as well here on home turf!  That would include protecting asylum seekers such as … More Deportation to Anti-Gay Uganda | Past and Future of Gay Detainee Joseph Bukombe

Asking King of Norway to save Gay Iraqi Man Azad from Deportation to Iraq

December 29, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 29, 2011. Updated: Petition Started on change.org see below.  Outrageous reasons to deport gay man from Norway;  save Azad , a young homosexual man, from deportation back to Iraq. The High Court in Oslo, Norway has turned down the application for political asylum after being  petitioned by Azad, a 33 year … More Asking King of Norway to save Gay Iraqi Man Azad from Deportation to Iraq

Thanks to Readers: Gay Asylum Detainee Joseph Bukombe is Home For XMAS

December 24, 2011

by Melanie Nathan, Dec 24, 2011. Thanks to all the seventy donors who contributed to bail for Joseph Bukombe, who was released from Otay Mesa  detention center in San Diego late last night. He enjoyed his first meal with friends in San Diego at a Kenyan restaurant  and wanted to express his deep appreciation to … More Thanks to Readers: Gay Asylum Detainee Joseph Bukombe is Home For XMAS