Tag: Kenya

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

70th UDHR Anniversary and Deplorable Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Africa

December 10, 2018

Call Outs on the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights SOUTH AFRICA:  On this the day we celebrate the 70th year of the #UDHR South Africa should take a hard look at its deplorable treatment of African asylum seekers and #refugees from Northern countries. People, including mothers with babies on their backs, are … More 70th UDHR Anniversary and Deplorable Treatment of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Africa

Botswana Africa’s Next Hope for Decriminalization of Homosexuality

December 6, 2018

The Botswana High Court has announced that it will finally hear a case on the decriminalization of homosexuality next year:  According to our friends at Mamba Online, the full bench of the court ordered that a hearing challenging the constitutionality of sections 164(a), 164(c) and 167 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex sexual activities … More Botswana Africa’s Next Hope for Decriminalization of Homosexuality

For LGBTI People Kakuma Camp is a Desperate Nightmare

November 28, 2018

There are millions of migrants and refugees around the world. Displacement of human beings is at an all time high.The most marginalized among all refugees are LGBTI refugees seeking safety and a resettlement process in countries which continue the persecution they had escaped from. LGBTI people are fleeing homophobic violence and the criminalization of their … More For LGBTI People Kakuma Camp is a Desperate Nightmare

Death in UNHCR Kakuma Camp and Conditions Impacting LGBTI Refugees

September 17, 2018

By Melanie Nathan, This week one death and others hospitalized! We are posting pictures of the funeral of Isaac Byaruhanga who died this week in Kakuma camp, Kenya, after contracting Typhoid.  Mr. Byaruhanga, a Rwandan national, was a friend to many other refugees in the camp and we are informed that his loss will be sorely grieved. … More Death in UNHCR Kakuma Camp and Conditions Impacting LGBTI Refugees

American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

May 29, 2018

American Family Watch International (FWI)  Misuses its UN Status to Preach Abstinence Trying to Stop Sex Education under the Guise of Sexualization of Children. United States rightwing forces, helmed by Family Watch International and its President Sharon Slater, are exerting their colonialist muscle to prevent and inhibit sex education to Africa’s youth. The ignorant propagandist … More American Sharon Slater Trying to Stop Sex Education in Africa

UNHCR Chief’s Call for Solidarity with Displaced LGBTI and Refugees is Not enough

May 20, 2018

Filippo Grandi stresses the need to support those forced to flee because of their sexual orientation and gender identity |  However, the UNHCR office in Uganda has refused to help L:GBTI Refugees! The Chief of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi, called for solidarity with LGBTI people who are forced to flee … More UNHCR Chief’s Call for Solidarity with Displaced LGBTI and Refugees is Not enough

Swahili makes history as first African language recognized by Twitter

May 9, 2018

Twitter has officially recognized Swahili as a language. Well that does not mean that Twitter has yet added Swahili to language settings. Though the social media platform now recognizes Swahili words and offers translation of the widely spoken and written East African language. Since last week, Twitter started detecting the language in tweets and subsequently … More Swahili makes history as first African language recognized by Twitter

America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…

May 1, 2018

Some international news … absolved from cabin fever – you know that insular stuck in MERICA feeling – read: Thousands strand in flood: Central Somalia has experienced heavy rains which have flooded parts of the country. The resultant effect has been the displacement of thousands. The United Nations estimates that almost half a million people … More America Say Hi To Africa – there are floods…. and other stuff…

Kenya Appeal Court Rules to End Forced Anal Exams of Men Suspected of Being Gay

March 22, 2018

In a significant win for human rights in Kenya, the Court of Appeals has ruled that the use of forced anal examinations by the state is unlawful. On Thursday 22n d March 2018, a three judge bench handed down a ruling in a case appealing the state’s cruel and degrading treatment of two Kenyan men … More Kenya Appeal Court Rules to End Forced Anal Exams of Men Suspected of Being Gay

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

Ugandan LGBTI Refugees Under UNHCR to Walk Out with Nowhere to Go

September 15, 2017

There is a large group of Ugandan LGBTI refugees who are in Kakuma Camp, in Kenya. These refugees have been fleeing Uganda’s anti-homosexuality climate, which was heightened by the passage of the now defunct Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2014, otherwise known as “The Kill the Gays Bill. ” Some have been there for several years in … More Ugandan LGBTI Refugees Under UNHCR to Walk Out with Nowhere to Go

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

Pictures of Police Using Force on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya outside UNHCR gates

May 13, 2017

This is an update reflecting some new pictures:  We wrote an article this week following the story of 18 LGBTI refugees detained and beaten by Kenyan police while outside UNHCR gates: In general when a refugee escapes war or persecution by entering a host country, they can be assured of support and protection, as by … More Pictures of Police Using Force on LGBTI Refugees in Kenya outside UNHCR gates

18 LGBT Refugees Detained and Beaten by Kenyan Police

May 11, 2017

REPORTING IN REAL TIME AS EVENTS UNFOLD:   Proving that UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)  is not able to provide adequate protection for Africa’s LGBT refugees: For several years LGBTI refugees have been denied the guarantee by UNHCR that they can be protected within the refugee system. It is now time to make … More 18 LGBT Refugees Detained and Beaten by Kenyan Police

One Refugee’s Poignant Protest Noted on this Transgender Day of Visibility

March 31, 2017

Today millions throughout the world celebrate the Transgender Day of Visibility. As I write this, my e-mail box is filling up with press releases and messages from Western organizations all doing imperative work around trans lives and various related issues.  I have not seen any messages reflecting on the hopelessness for survival that some trans people are … More One Refugee’s Poignant Protest Noted on this Transgender Day of Visibility

Kenyan Court Compels Trans Name Changes

February 15, 2017

The Kenyan Court has handed down a compulsion order, requiring the Principal Registrar of Persons to change the names in the identification documents for five transgender individuals in Kenya. The Principal Registrar of Persons has 21 days to effect the name changes in the national identification cards. A lawyer representing the trans clients told Justice George Odunga … More Kenyan Court Compels Trans Name Changes

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

LGBT Refugees Panic as Kenyan Government Announces Closure of Refugee Camps

May 10, 2016

The Government of Kenya has announced that it intends to close all refugee camps in the country, and while UNHCR implores Kenya to reverse this decision, we await information as to how they plan to deal with what could be a severe crisis.  LGBT refugees, after seeing the headlines, are now extremely stressed and uncertain … More LGBT Refugees Panic as Kenyan Government Announces Closure of Refugee Camps

SA Film & Publications Board refuses to condemn Kenyan homophobia

March 30, 2016

Our friends at Mambaonline have followed up on an earlier report and now note a disturbing turn as the South African Film & Publications Board refuses to condemn Kenyan homophobia. South Africa’s Film and Publications Board (FPB) told Mambaonline that it will not condemn its Kenyan counterpart’s persecution of LGBT people. Earlier this month, we … More SA Film & Publications Board refuses to condemn Kenyan homophobia

South Africa Aligns with LGBTI Censorship

March 18, 2016

South Africa’s Film and Publications Board, headed by Sipho Risibia,  has seen it fit to align itself with Kenya’s homophobic publications board, which regularly attacks the LGBTI community and the right to freedom of speech. Thanks to our friends at Mamba Online for alerting us to the  story about the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) … More South Africa Aligns with LGBTI Censorship

Hillary Clinton Policy Plan does not go far enough for Global LGBT needs

December 19, 2015

December 19, 2015 Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African HRC Candidate for the Democratic U.S. Presidential nomination, former Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has outlined a comprehensive LGBT policy plan for domestic and global LGBT issues. While we at African Human Rights Coalition are grateful to Secretary Clinton for her recognition of the plight of … More Hillary Clinton Policy Plan does not go far enough for Global LGBT needs

Ugandan Journalist Refugee Arrives in Miami After Speaking Against the Anti Gay Legislation

November 26, 2015

After much courage and hardship we welcome Andrew Ssebulime, a young hero, to America. An extraordinary journey by a resilient young man. Now our hope is that the Miami community will embrace Andrew and make him feel welcome! By Melanie Nathan, November, 25, 2015. A  journalist, who fled Uganda in fear of his life, has … More Ugandan Journalist Refugee Arrives in Miami After Speaking Against the Anti Gay Legislation

BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

November 10, 2015

While Failing to Note that the Choices are Few to None! By Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. Here is a BBC TV report for which I provided consultation.  I have posted the BBC transcript report here.  The TV version with pictures can be seen on the BBC website. The report  while providing crucial exposure, leaves … More BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

Did President Obama Snub Uganda because of its Anti-Homosexuality Stance?

July 29, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 29, 2015. The Ugandan media has named the issue of homosexuality as a reason President Obama may have snubbed Uganda by not visiting that country while on his recent trip to Africa.  The President visited only two countries; Ethiopia and Kenya. I think that President Obama did not overlook Uganda. I … More Did President Obama Snub Uganda because of its Anti-Homosexuality Stance?

Obama tells African Union Nobody should be president for life

July 28, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, July 28, 2015. United States President Barack Obama concluded his visit to Africa today after speaking at the African Union’s headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. This was the first time a sitting US president addressed the AU. President Obama asserted that Africa would not advance if its leaders refuse to … More Obama tells African Union Nobody should be president for life