Pakistani human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir, has died of a heart attack at the age of 66. Jahangir had served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran since 2016. This from Right Livelihood Award Foundation, an organization who named her LAUREATE: Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation said: … More Pakistani Human Rights Lawyer Dies
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
… even though for reasons having little to do with his homophobia – but at least there is hope for a future administration that would now be more likely to embrace equality like its neighboring South Africa” Melanie Nathan, African HRC. Like many Africans I am so happy to see Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe ditched by his … More Zimbabwe Ditches Homophobic Mugabe
“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
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’s Terrifying United Nations Speech September 19, 2017 Statement by Melanie Nathan, Executive Director of African Human Rights Coalition on the speech delivered by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to the United Nations General Assembly, today: “For a President of a major world power to use the world’s peace-making platform to threaten war … More A Sad Day for the United States in the United Nations
Medically Unnecessary Operations Risk Lifelong Suffering (Chicago, July 25, 2017) – Doctors in the United States continue to perform medically unnecessary surgeries that can inflict permanent harm on intersex children, Human Rights Watch and interACT said in a report released today. Despite decades of controversy over the procedures, doctors operate on children’s gonads, internal sex … More Harmful Surgery on Intersex Children in the United Sates
By Melanie Nathan, Executive Director African Human Rights Coalition. Or Mere Incompetence of the Trump Administration In my capacity as the Executive Director of the African Human Rights Coalition, I advocate on behalf of LGBTI refugees in Africa. Since Donald Trump took office the program has been anything BUT smooth sailing! When Trump took office … More Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders
The date of Chelsea Manning’s liberation coincides with the IDAHOT, on May 17 The San Francisco Bay area community will gather for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on Wed., May 17, 2017, 6 to 7pm, at Harvey Milk Plaza (2401 Market at Castro Street.) Participants in IDAHOT events globally will be posting … More San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro
“Please let me know if you would be willing to review your material and revise your publication with corrections, and also if you would be willing to issue an apology to the LGBT community. I am not sure how much harm has been done at this point, yet it is never too late to right … More African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching
Between the 20th and 23rd of April 2017, a Fourth International Intersex Forum was held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The world’s largest intersex human rights forum to date was attended by 40 representatives of intersex organizations and independent advocates across all regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Post-Soviet countries, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania. The depth and breadth … More Groundbreaking Fourth International Intersex Forum
The European Court of Human Rights today found that the sterilization requirement in legal gender recognition violates human rights. Setting the legal precedent for Europe, this decision will force the remaining 22 countries using the infertility requirement to change their laws. This historic decision is delivered in three joined cases against France about the lack … More European Court Ends Forced Sterilizations of Transgender People
The 159,000 signatures petitions the UK to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia , Protests Yemen war & the jailing of Raif Badawi & other political prisoners Bianca Jagger, Peter Tatchell and Baroness Jenny Jones led the hand-in of a 159,000-signature petition to the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Theresa May, at 10 Downing Street today Wednesday, … More Bianca Jagger leads Saudi petition hand-in to UK Prime Minister
I Googled my late mother, Professor Carmen Nathan, who died many years before social media and Internet was really happening, (1990). I came upon an honor bestowed upon her by the South African government in 2014 when they celebrated 20 years of the new SA constitution. I never knew about this until I found this and … More Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice
Front Line Defenders Launches Annual Report On Human Rights Defenders at Risk in 2016 More than 1000 human rights defenders were killed, harassed, detained, or subjected to smear campaigns and other violations in 2016, Front Line Defenders reported today at the launch of its annual report in Dublin. The Annual Report on Human Rights Defenders … More Report On Human Rights Defenders at Risk in 2016
Amnesty International USA will co-sponsor the Women’s March on Washington, which is set for January 21, 2017, the day after the presidential inauguration. “We’re proud to stand with people from all across the country to declare that women’s rights are human rights and to demand that the new administration and Congress protect everyone’s human rights,” … More Amnesty International USA to Co-Sponsor Women’s March on Washington on January 21
Today in the United Nations General Assembly, a cross-regional group of states affirmed the principles of universal human rights by blocking a hostile attempt to prevent the work established by the UN Human Rights Council of the Independent Expert on Discrimination and Violence based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. A small group of States … More Equality Wins at UN General Assembly with Protection of SOGI Independent Expert
This morning the East African Court of Justice delivered a blow with its judgment in a matter initially brought before it by a Ugandan based Human Rights coalition. The matter of Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF) v Attorney General of Uganda (and the Secretariat of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)) … More International Human Rights Court in Africa delivers Judgment Blow in Historic First LGBT Case
UN human rights body establishes an Independent Expert In a defining vote, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on “Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation, and gender identity”, to mandate the appointment of an Independent Expert on the subject. It is a historic victory for the human rights of … More United Nations Makes History on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
A Kenyan court on Thursday upheld the use of anal examinations to ‘determine a suspect’s sexual orientation’, dismissing the argument that the procedure amounts to torture and degrading treatment. Judge Mathew Emukule, of the Mombasa High Court, denied there was any right violated under the Kenyan constitution and international law and dismissed the case where … More Kenyan Court Allows Forced Anal Exams to Catch Homosexuals
Reports Examine Atrocity Crimes, Minority Stress, International Law Today, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) released three independent expert reports submitted in conjunction with SMUG’s lawsuit against the U.S.-based anti-gay extremist Scott Lively charging him with conspiring to persecute the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community in Uganda. In … More Expert Reports in Crimes Against Humanity Case of Christian Extremist Scott Lively
where the revised rules could be strengthened from a human rights perspective..
The first concerns the prohibition of discrimination,” he said, adding that he is “disappointed that sexual orientation and gender identity were not explicitly recognized as grounds for discrimination, given their recognition by most human rights treaty bodies.
… More UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners
By Melanie Nathan, July 24, 2015. United States President Barack Obama has arrived in Kenya on the first visit to that country, since serving as US president. During his two-day visit the President will hold talks with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and other top officials. Arriving in Kenya, where his father was born, he was … More President Obama Arrives in Kenya in Climate of Anti-Gay Sentiment
By Melanie Nathan, July 23, 2015. A new revealing report on persecution and discrimination against Uganda’s LGBTI community has been released by the Consortium on Monitoring Violations Based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. The report refers to 89 verified documented violations in 2014 in Uganda. That was the year the Anti-Homosexuality Act … More Consortium Reports Violations against LGBT People in Uganda Implicating Police
Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 21, 2015. I am posting this Williams Institute report which links to the UNHRC Report. What stood out for me important to note in this report is the recommendation – “One recommendation asked the U.S. to ensure that religious exemptions are regulated to protect the human rights of LGBT people.” What … More UNHRC Recommends the United States Establish a National Human Rights Body
Welcome Home Junior! By Melanie Nathan, December 16, 2014. I first met Junior Mayema back in 2011 when I was invited to keynote speak at Cape Town Pride’s Pink Gala in South Africa. At the time Junior, approached me along the Pride parade route. He told me that he was an LGBTI refugee from the … More From Congo to Castro UNHCR Resettles Persecuted LGBTI Activist in the U.S.A.
Posted by Melanie Nathan, December 08, 2014. To acknowledge this year’s world Human Rights Day on December 10th, a group of Nigerian human rights defenders have united for a #FreeAndEqualNaija media drive aimed at giving prominence to the protection of the rights of all Nigerians including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals. Across … More Nigerian Campaign Launched to Protect LGBTI and All Human Rights
Posted by Melanie Nathan, 21st November 2014, The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law (CSCHRCL), Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum (HRAPF), Rainbow Health Foundation (RHF), and Support Initiative for Persons with Congenital Disorders (SIPD) released a report on violations based on Sex Determination, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation (SDGISO) (SOGI) . … More Ugandan LGBTI Human Rights Violations Report Released
Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 20, 2014. Wake Up Americans and get educated on these important human rights issues that you will not find in our USA local or national mainstream media. Thanks to SAfAIDS for the selection of important human rights stories: Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs for recreational use A … More Exposing Zimbabwe’s illegal trade in life-saving AIDS drugs
Indian women die, seriously injured, after mass sterilization drive Human Rights, Sexuality and HIV/AIDS news making the headlines that you probably will not read anywhere in the USA news – with thanks to the good people at SAfAIDS for their “Zero Tolerance for Homophobia” campaign: Being a sex worker doesn’t give you the right … More Human Rights News You Will Not See in U.S. Press
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