Tag: Human rights

TLDEF and Pro Bono Partner Lawyers Support Transgender Americans Letter

October 24, 2018

New York, NY –  TLDEF and pro bono partner attorneys respond to anti-transgender Trump Administration memo…  “As law firms, attorneys and advocates, we proudly support human rights and human dignity for all transgender and gender nonbinary Americans. We are deeply troubled by the leaked Department of Health and Human Services memo proposing a discriminatory definition … More TLDEF and Pro Bono Partner Lawyers Support Transgender Americans Letter

LGBT Resources: OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo 2018

September 26, 2018

“Largest LGBTQ+ Resource Fair Ever to be Held in San Francisco – Theme: “Over the Rainbow” Over 100 local groups serving the LGBTQ+ community will come together for a day of fun and community building in the Castro – offering a whole lot of important information. African Human Rights Coalition will be there and yours truly,  Melanie … More LGBT Resources: OurTownSF Nonprofit Expo 2018

Malaysia Allows Torture of Muslim Women Convicted of Attempting Lesbian Sex

September 3, 2018

More than 100 people witnessed the torturing of 2 women who were subjected to Sharia Law’s punitive measure for admitting to attempting to have sex. Two Muslim Malaysian women, aged 22 and 32, were each caned six times in the Sharia High Court in the state of Terengganu, after being convicted of attempting to have … More Malaysia Allows Torture of Muslim Women Convicted of Attempting Lesbian Sex

Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

July 17, 2018

Court condemns Russia over Pussy Riot convictions –In yet another instance of Russian’s Vladamir Putin’s human rights abuses Members of the punk band spent nearly two years in jail after 2012 protest in a Moscow cathedral: The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday ruled against Russia for its treatment of members of the Pussy … More Human Rights Court Condemns Russia for Pussy Riot Convictions

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

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

Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

March 15, 2018

Washington, D.C. (March 15, 2018) – The American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Human Rights First, and Covington & Burling LLP filed a federal lawsuit today challenging the Trump administration’s arbitrary detention of asylum seekers fleeing persecution, torture, or death in their countries of origin. All the plaintiffs have passed credible fear screenings — … More Challenging the Trump Administration’s Arbitrary Detention of Asylum Seekers

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

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

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

A Sad Day for the United States in the United Nations

September 19, 2017

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

Harmful Surgery on Intersex Children in the United Sates

July 25, 2017

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

Is Trump Purposely Defying Travel and Refugee Court Orders

June 1, 2017

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

San Francisco LGBTI Community to Rally for IDAHOT in the Castro

May 15, 2017

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

African HRC Calls for Apology from South African Relationship ‘Specialist’ regarding Anti Gay Teaching

May 9, 2017

“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

Groundbreaking Fourth International Intersex Forum

April 27, 2017

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

European Court Ends Forced Sterilizations of Transgender People

April 6, 2017

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

Bianca Jagger leads Saudi petition hand-in to UK Prime Minister

March 15, 2017

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

Prof Carmen Nathan Honored in Speech by SA Deputy Minister of Justice

January 27, 2017

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

Report On Human Rights Defenders at Risk in 2016

January 6, 2017

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 to Co-Sponsor Women’s March on Washington on January 21

December 19, 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

Equality Wins at UN General Assembly with Protection of SOGI Independent Expert

December 19, 2016

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

International Human Rights Court in Africa delivers Judgment Blow in Historic First LGBT Case

September 27, 2016

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

United Nations Makes History on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

June 30, 2016

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

Kenyan Court Allows Forced Anal Exams to Catch Homosexuals

June 16, 2016

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

Expert Reports in Crimes Against Humanity Case of Christian Extremist Scott Lively

May 22, 2016

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

UN launches ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’ on improving treatment of prisoners

October 9, 2015

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