Tag: Human rights

Ugandan Government Lip Service on Repressive Legislation Report

October 25, 2014

What is your opinion on this report and how do you think the Ugandan Government should handle it? By Melanie Nathan, October 24, 2014. On October 16, we reported that Amnesty International concluded a report on repressive and discriminatory legislation enacted over the last 18 months in Uganda that has led to increasing state repression, … More Ugandan Government Lip Service on Repressive Legislation Report

Amnesty Hand Delivers Human Rights Report To Ugandan PM

October 24, 2014

See Video with examples of Police and Public Violence because of Repressive Laws By Melanie Nathan, October 24, 2014. On October 16, we reported that Amnesty International concluded a report on repressive and discriminatory legislation enacted over the last 18 months in Uganda that has led to increasing state repression, violence, homophobic and gender-based discrimination. … More Amnesty Hand Delivers Human Rights Report To Ugandan PM

Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco

September 25, 2014

THREATS to Lose Voters and Support | accused of “rubbing shoulders with fags” By Melanie Nathan, September 25, 2014. Earlier this month, on her way back from attending the the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) conference in San Diego, Hon. Nabilah Naggayi Sempala, the Ugandan Member of Parliament for Kampala, stopped over in San Francisco, … More Ugandan MP Berated by Constituents For Meeting LGBT San Francisco

Why Human Rights Resolution of Chile’s UN Ambassador Includes All

September 21, 2014

The Chilean Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva explains why she is tabling a resolution this afternoon on the human rights of everyone regardless of our sexual orientation or gender identity. The International Service for Human Rights is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights. We achieve this by supporting human rights defenders, … More Why Human Rights Resolution of Chile’s UN Ambassador Includes All

Africa Business and Human Rights

August 20, 2014

When Business Gets down to the Business of Human Rights Key Stakeholders are excluded Posted by Melanie Nathan, August 20, 2014. “At the U.S.-Africa Business Forum this month, President Barack Obama announced $33 billion in new private and government investment in sub-Saharan Africa, including new projects within Africa’s energy, aviation and construction sectors. Such robust … More Africa Business and Human Rights

Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

June 25, 2014

The fault of indisposed Magistrate By Melanie Nathan, June 25, 2014. Philip Mubiana, a hair dresser, and his alleged partner James Mwape, a brick-layer, have been held without bail in Zambia for well over a year, while their case has been stalled at the dilatory hand of the State. How many times can a magistrate … More Case Against Zambians Accused of Homosexuality Postponed Yet Again

Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

June 24, 2014

Ground-Breaking Partnership between National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and USAID to Create Opportunities for LGBT Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries National Security Advisory Rice Announced Agreement at White House Forum on Global LGBT Human Rights By Melanie Nathan, June 24, 2014, In a historic announcement, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a $2.7 … More Susan Rice on LGBT Human Rights and Economic Empowerment for Global LGBT Community

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

President Obama Urged to Expand Russian Human Rights Violators on Magnitsky List

January 3, 2014

See Our Open Letter January 3, 2014 Several  prominent human rights, political, community & non-profit organizations, activists and journalists are urging President Obama to reconsider his administration decision, asking the President to expand the Magnitsky List, designed to ban Russian human rights violators from entering the US, and having all their assets at US financial … More President Obama Urged to Expand Russian Human Rights Violators on Magnitsky List

In crushing blow to India’s LGBT community Supreme Court re-criminalizes homosexuality

December 10, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, December 11, 2013 Today, India’s Supreme Court had the chance to overturn Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code and decriminalize homosexuality for good. Instead, they set aside a 2009 High Court ruling that had temporarily decriminalized homosexuality for 1.2 billion people. India is one of the many countries in the world … More In crushing blow to India’s LGBT community Supreme Court re-criminalizes homosexuality

Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

December 4, 2013

GALZ Chairperson summoned to appear in court By Melanie Nathan, Dec 04, 2013. The Chairperson of GALZ, Martha Tholanah has been summoned to appear in Rotten Row Magistrate Court on the12th of December 2013 to answer charges accusing her of running an “unregistered” organization. The summons was served on Tholanah’s Lawyer, Tonderai Bhatasara, a member … More Zimbabwe LGBT Group GALZ subject to further persecution

Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

October 14, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, October 14, 2013. Russian lawmakers would rather see infants and children starve and suffer neglect, resulting in deformities and attachment disorders than provide these children with the opportunities for love and health.  A picture speaks a million words – how does one grasp what could have been; and why would Russian lawmakers,  … More Putin’s Immoral Choice | Orphanages vs. Loving Same-Sex Families

Zimbabwe and Mugabe called out by HRW

September 13, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, September 12, 2013. This open “letter-type” article was addressed to Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe by Human Rights Watch’s Daniel Bekele, the executive director for HRW-Africa Division. We all know that Mugabe incessantly spews anti-gay hate and fosters an extremely homophobic society as a result. We trust that HRW has considered LGBT persons … More Zimbabwe and Mugabe called out by HRW

Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

August 31, 2013

Our March Campaign Will Not Be Silenced By Cathy Kristofferson, August 30, 2013 At Wednesday’s 50th anniversary March on Washington celebration Dream Defender’s Philip Agnew and United We Dream’s Sofia Campos were denied their opportunity to speak at the last minute. The excuse given?  Officials said they had “run out of time.”  This follows the … More Cut from 50th Anniversary Dream Defenders want your 2 minutes

Outrcry as Petitioners Protest Delayed Justice in Ugandan Minorities Case

July 25, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, July 25, 2013. This week Ugandan Constitutional Court saw protests when, according to the Daily Monitor,  “minority groups stormed the Constitutional Court in Kampala on Tuesday, protesting what they called ‘delayed justice’. The potential landmark case of Jjuuko Adrian v. Attorney General Constitutional Petition No.1 of 2009,  has yet to receive a ruling, … More Outrcry as Petitioners Protest Delayed Justice in Ugandan Minorities Case

U.S. Christian Extremist Sees Russia’s New Homophobic Laws as Model

July 22, 2013

“I can’t point to any country of the world today that is a model for the rest of the world, except perhaps for Russia” Scott Lively, radical Christian extremist By Cathy Kristofferson, July 22, 2013 For a while we have been following the ramped up anti-gay extremism taking place in Russia, which culminated with the … More U.S. Christian Extremist Sees Russia’s New Homophobic Laws as Model

U.S. State Department condemns murder of Gay activist in Cameroon

July 16, 2013

by Melanie Nathan, July 16, 2013. The U.S. State Department has issued a statement condemning the murder of Eric Ohena Lembembe. Lembembe’s friends discovered his body on Monday evening after being unable to reach him by telephone for two days, and went to his home. They found his front door padlocked on the outside, but … More U.S. State Department condemns murder of Gay activist in Cameroon

Hypocrisy of Edward Snowden | If he was gay Putin could arrest him

July 15, 2013

by Melanie Nathan, July 15, 2013. Does Edward Snowden know that if he said one pro-gay or LGBTI supportive word Putin could arrest him and he could go to jail? I find Snowden’s actions in complimenting the Russian authorities and their human rights record self serving, unnecessary and nothing more than one big Putanic arse-lick … More Hypocrisy of Edward Snowden | If he was gay Putin could arrest him

Win for Baltic Pride 2013 in Lithuanian Court

July 5, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, July 05, 2013 Today, the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) won another step in their struggle for Baltic Pride 2013.  The Vilnius Regional Administrative court directed municipal leaders to allow LGL their right to march on the city’s main avenue.  This judgement is the latest move in an ongoing months-long battle to hold … More Win for Baltic Pride 2013 in Lithuanian Court

Ugandan LGBT Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Important Reminders

July 4, 2013

  The anti homosexuality Bill is still in parliament and on the order paper of business to follow. We urge that you continue consulting activists on the ground as we chose to take on a more subtle way of lobbying as spontaneous actions from our partners especially those not from Africa is always met with … More Ugandan LGBT Group Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Important Reminders

Scott Lively incites war against the homosexualization of states

July 2, 2013

“But resistance is NOT futile and we must never surrender to evil.” By Cathy Kristofferson, July 2, 2013 Posting on his blog today, SPLC-designated anti-gay hater Scott Lively boasted that his prediction came to fruition; yes he was right that one of the two SCOTUS marriage cases did indeed “go to the homosexual movement.”  But … More Scott Lively incites war against the homosexualization of states

U.S. Activists protest RESISTANBUL at Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C.

June 24, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 24, 2013 Last night a coalition of U.S. activists answered the call to action made by LGBT activists in Istanbul Turkey. The activists determined to help raise awareness about the Turkish government’s brutality and threatened suppression of Turkey’s Pride march, held a light panel protest in front of the Turkish Embassy … More U.S. Activists protest RESISTANBUL at Turkish Embassy in Washington D.C.

Protests and arrests as Russia’s State Duma passes anti-gay promotion bill unanimously

June 11, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, June 10, 2013 Update 6/30: President Putin today signed this bill into law. Proponents argue it is for the protection of children, but critics still allege it part of a broad crackdown on Russia’s LGBT community.  For his part Mr. Putin tells international critics “We ask you not to interfere in our … More Protests and arrests as Russia’s State Duma passes anti-gay promotion bill unanimously

Zambian High Court to hear Freedom of Expression challenge after call to hunt down homosexuals arrest

June 5, 2013

It is believed that Kasonkomona was specifically targeted amidst the Zambian government’s call to “hunt down homosexuals” By Cathy Kristofferson, June 05, 2013 The court case of Zambian Paul Kasonkomona which we have reported on here on OBLOGDEE was today transferred to that country’s High Court for the constitutional challenge Kasonkomona and his defense are seeking. … More Zambian High Court to hear Freedom of Expression challenge after call to hunt down homosexuals arrest

Ugandan LGBT activists warn against false fund raising

May 27, 2013

By Melanie Nathan, May 27, 2013. The Ugandan LGBT community is expressing concerns about rogue organizations and individuals soliciting funds from the West through false or exaggerated stories presented on social media. What follows is a plea and announcement by LGBT human rights defender Kasha Jaqueline Nabagesera, Founder & Executive Director of the Ugandan organization … More Ugandan LGBT activists warn against false fund raising

Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

May 25, 2013

By Cathy Kristofferson, May 25, 2013 Update May 26  – Video add down below We reported earlier here on OBLOGDEE about Ukraine’s 1st ever Gay Pride March happily occurring despite multiple political attempts to derail it.  The folks in Moscow were not so lucky. Today in the Russian capital of Moscow, activists and opponents clashed in an unsanctioned … More Moscow Gay Rights Rally ends in violence and arrests

Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

May 17, 2013

Posted by Melanie Nathan, May 17, 2013. This week we join with the worldwide LGBT community in celebrating IDAHO – the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. IDAHO is less known in the U.S. than in many other countries around the world. Here in the U.S., LGBT communities have a greater focus on Gay Pride, … More Council for Global Equality on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

The Special Rights Battleground of ENDA and Immigration Reform

May 2, 2013

Seems to be exactly where the Religious Right is digging in these days. By Cathy Kristofferson, May 02, 2013. Two legislative initiatives now underway on Capital Hill greatly underscore the fact that it is the Religious Right who is seeking ‘special rights’ not the LGBT community, as we are so often accused.  The Comprehensive Immigration … More The Special Rights Battleground of ENDA and Immigration Reform