Tag: Kenya

African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

January 20, 2020

As Executive Director for African Human Rights Coalition, and as a follow up to the articles that have appeared on this BLOG reporting on the complex and disturbing situation involving LGBTQI refugees in Kenya, and more specifically Kakuma Camp, African HRC has issued 2 advisories on its website. Here is a snippet plus links to … More African HRC Issues Advisory to LGBTQI Refugees, Activists and Advocates

Attacked While Asleep: LGBTQI Refugees injured in Orchestrated Homophobic Attacks at Kakuma Kenya

January 7, 2020

REAL TIME UPDATES- below this report. The 45 LGBTQI refugees who have been camped out at the UNHCR Kakuma Reception Center Gates have been beaten and injured in an attack tonight by a mob in white T Shirts. The report we have received is that this was an organized attack. The attackers apparently outnumbered the refugees. … More Attacked While Asleep: LGBTQI Refugees injured in Orchestrated Homophobic Attacks at Kakuma Kenya

Attacks against Trapped LGBTI Escalate at Kakuma under Failed UNHCR Protection

January 5, 2020

Solutions Awaited from UNHCR On December 21, 2019 in the early hours of the morning, over 40 plus LGBTI refugees were attacked in Kakuma Camp, Kenya. They fled and remain trapped at the UNHCR Reception Center gate at Kakuma refugee Camp, without safe access to food or water at this time. They have no papers … More Attacks against Trapped LGBTI Escalate at Kakuma under Failed UNHCR Protection

Allegations that UNHCR refusing water to attacked LGBTI Refugees at Kakuma Gate

January 1, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition is requesting Urgent Assistance and Investigations : Welcoming 2020 we see no help in sight? For the past 9 days, with thanks to the generosity of a volunteer and board member of African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC) food, water, juices and medicine have been provided to approximately 50 LGBTQI refugees … More Allegations that UNHCR refusing water to attacked LGBTI Refugees at Kakuma Gate

Kenya proves it can no longer Host LGBTI Refugees due to Escalating Violence

December 26, 2019

It is Xmas day. Two nights ago, while asleep for the first time in their new shelters at Kakuma Kenya, LGBTI refugees were attacked with sticks and fists.  Terrified they were about to be killed, some ran for the bushes and others risked camping outside the Reception Center in the hope that they may finally receive some real protection and security. … More Kenya proves it can no longer Host LGBTI Refugees due to Escalating Violence

Queer Displacements Conference: Refugees and Ongoing Hardship in Australia

December 14, 2019

Catching up on the world. There is a lot going on – and here is a start: The Queer Displacements: Sexuality, Migration and Exile 2019 conference (Queer Displacements) was organised by two queer refugee women, emerging academics and activists Renee Dixson and Tina Dixson. Queer Displacements took place on the Traditional lands of the Ngunnawal … More Queer Displacements Conference: Refugees and Ongoing Hardship in Australia

Poetry from Hell Part 5: Attacks on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya – I AM NOT FINE

December 6, 2019

I am sitting here at the end of my week, in my comfort. My home is warm. I have food in my belly and I am safe. This is not the case for our lGBTQI brothers and sisters at Kakuma Camp in Kenya, a country proving to be hostile host to gays, lesbians and transgender … More Poetry from Hell Part 5: Attacks on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya – I AM NOT FINE

Kakuma Crisis Gay Arrests Proves Kenya Hostile Host for LGBTI Refugees

December 1, 2019

In The Words of LGBTQI Refugees The words and pictures of LGBTI refugees stranded outside UNHCR Camp Kakuma in Kenya speak for themselves. We are seeking updates from UNHCR and RAS (Refugee Affairs Secretariat of Kenya). ARRIVAL… November 03 One is that all new LGBTI refugees who report to the UNHCR-KENYA are given movement passes … More Kakuma Crisis Gay Arrests Proves Kenya Hostile Host for LGBTI Refugees

Poetry From Hell Part 4: Kakuma Pain Zombies and Craving

November 28, 2019

Today is Thanksgiving in the United States of America. I decided I could not celebrate. Notwithstanding sitting in privilege – no thanks to THANKS helmed by a food mounded table. Not while my LGBTQI family is starving, unsheltered, violently pelted with words intended to shame, beaten, robbed, suffering cruel uncertainty. Again I couch my sadness … More Poetry From Hell Part 4: Kakuma Pain Zombies and Craving

I am Fasting to Protest America Turning its Back on LGBTI Refugees who are Starving This Thanksgiving

November 27, 2019

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” –   “I am fasting each Thanksgiving until America is restored to its values – where we welcome, shelter and protect refugees and asylum seekers with full robust and fast flowing open routes, where immigrants are treated with the absolute dignity and … More I am Fasting to Protest America Turning its Back on LGBTI Refugees who are Starving This Thanksgiving

Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

November 21, 2019

The  Refugee Protection Act (RPA) of 2019, led by Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Zoe Lofgren and cosponsored by more than two dozen members of Congress seeks to restore justice to the U.S. asylum and refugee resettlement systems and revive our country’s founding commitment to offer safe haven for those fleeing persecution.  Congress must support … More Urging Congress to Support the Refugee Protection Act of 2019 

BBC Video Depicting Brutality Against LGBTI Refugees by Hostile Host Kenya

November 20, 2019

CALLS FOR URGENT RESETTLEMENT OF ALL LGBTQI REFUGEES: Since 2014, I have been writing about the refugee situation in Kenya, here on OblogdeeOblogda and at AfricanHRC.org’s news site. I have written about and advocated for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers, with a focus on UNHCR resettlement and the general conditions for LGBTQI refugees at the … More BBC Video Depicting Brutality Against LGBTI Refugees by Hostile Host Kenya

Poetry from Hell Part 2: The Pain of Neglected LGBTI Kakuma Refugees

November 15, 2019

The words of a refugee suffering and bearing witness …. As I sit at my desk, with the Trump Impeachment hearings audible in the background, and Ambassador Yovanovitch, former U.S. Ambassador to the Ukraine, provides her poignant and moving testimony, I reflect on how the incompetent, crooked, corrupt, and maliciously xenophobic American who should NOT … More Poetry from Hell Part 2: The Pain of Neglected LGBTI Kakuma Refugees

Kenyan President Demonizes Gays Again

November 9, 2019

In Climate of Escalating Antagonism by Kenyan Authorities toward LGBTI refugees Following the recent endorsement by Kenya’s High Court where it refused to decriminalize Penal Codes criminalizing homosexuality, it is not surprising that President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has yet again demonized Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community by declaring  homosexuality as unacceptable to Kenyan … More Kenyan President Demonizes Gays Again

The Poetic Pain of Hell Part 1: By an LGBTQI Refugee

November 5, 2019

So much pain reflected in the words of one LGBTQI refugee – and its speaks to the thousands who now seeking protection… Constantly escaping and escaping hate only to face hell Just this weekend I was honored to give a speech at the event hosted by Jill and Michael at Jillie’s Wine Bar and Shop … More The Poetic Pain of Hell Part 1: By an LGBTQI Refugee

Under Threat of WE WILL KILL YOU ALL Another LGBTI Person Beaten in Uganda

October 20, 2019

We have received a report from Uganda that another member of the LGBTI community has been brutally beaten with a threat “we will kill you all.” The number of beatings and murders of gay people in Uganda has been on the rise since recent hateful rhetoric delivered by Ugandan Government officials, including the threat to … More Under Threat of WE WILL KILL YOU ALL Another LGBTI Person Beaten in Uganda

Transgender Refugees Raided in Shelter Instead of Protected by Hostile Kenyan Police

October 18, 2019

Two days ago a supposed safe house sheltering transgender refugees near Nairobi Kenya (actual place purposely not mentioned for security reasons) was raided by the Kenyan police after complaints by local residents (host community) asserting that it was ‘inhabited by transgender people who were apparently in danger of corrupting the morals  of the neighborhood’s husbands … More Transgender Refugees Raided in Shelter Instead of Protected by Hostile Kenyan Police

LGBTI Refugees Arrested and Sent Back to Dreaded Kakuma Camp

June 20, 2019

Just this week I received the NLGJA Award for excellence in blogging. In December 2018 I had written about an attack on LGBTQI refugees while peacefully protesting the horrendous Kakuma Camp conditions and insecurities. Since the time of writing that article, many problems persisted and has brought LGBTI refugees back full circle to the dreaded … More LGBTI Refugees Arrested and Sent Back to Dreaded Kakuma Camp

Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa

March 22, 2019

A Critical frontier for Human Rights Advocacy – Melanie Nathan (2019) – the subject of 2 Articles in global press- Harpers and Mamba-Online – elucidating a critical mess for LGBTQI refugees!  This week two articles have been written by accomplished journalists at two different corners of the world, reflecting on the stories of refugees attempting to avail … More Hostile Host Countries further the persecution of LGBTI Refugees in Africa

Kenyan Court Postpones much anticipated ruling on Criminalization of Homosexuality

February 22, 2019

The much anticipated ruling in the case challenging the Kenyan anti-Homosexuality Clauses of the Penal Code which criminalizes homosexuality has been postponed. Eric Gitari v Attorney General & another (Petition no. 150 of 2016), brought by the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) challenges Sections 162 a) c) 163, 165, of the Kenyan Penal … More Kenyan Court Postpones much anticipated ruling on Criminalization of Homosexuality

UNHCR sending Ugandan LGBT Refugees into Homophobic Kenyan Society not an Option

January 1, 2019

Asking gays and lesbians to lay low while Kenyan Government turns a blind eye to their homosexuality – is NOT a solution!  America needs to wake up to the need to open the pipeline for LGBT refugees from Africa and criminalizing countries.. When the Kakuma LGBTQI refugees protested harsh conditions and the failed security at the … More UNHCR sending Ugandan LGBT Refugees into Homophobic Kenyan Society not an Option

UNHCR Transfers LGBTI Refugees in Kenya to Unsanitary Crowded Conditions

December 24, 2018

On 11th December thirty LGBTQ refugees were attacked and beaten by Kenyan police while protesting discrimination and the harsh unsafe conditions at Kakuma refugee camp.  We reported that attack in the words of the refugees at: https://oblogdee.blog/2018/12/11/lgbt-refugee-peaceful-protest-turns-violent-at-unhcr-compound-in-kenya/ . Some days later UNHCR issued a statement condemning the attack, noting the following in their statement: UNHCR condemns … More UNHCR Transfers LGBTI Refugees in Kenya to Unsanitary Crowded Conditions

Injured Ugandan Refugee Evacuated from Kakuma Exposes Threat by RAS Officer

December 17, 2018

For the past several years I have been communicating and working directly with LGBTI refugees Kenya- both in Nairobi and Kakuma Camp. I have advocated for the community as a whole and on an ad hoc basis for individuals, balancing the refugee reports of insecurity and failed protection against working with UNHCR staff to find … More Injured Ugandan Refugee Evacuated from Kakuma Exposes Threat by RAS Officer

UNHCR Calls out the Violent Kenyan Police Attack on LGBT Refugees

December 13, 2018

African HRC and other advocates have been requesting UNHCR plan for the safe protection and humane living conditions for LGBTQ refugees in Kakuma Refugee Camp for several years, with only slight ad hoc and ultimately ineffective results. The harsh conditions and insecurities led to a protest this week and an attack by Kenyan police on … More UNHCR Calls out the Violent Kenyan Police Attack on LGBT Refugees