Tag: Kenya

LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest

March 9, 2020

RefCEA Responds to Cessation of Funding with a call  for a Community Planning Session: First Reported at AFRICAN HRC HERE. Tuesday 10 March 2020, NAIROBI, KENYA – In recent weeks, HIAS (the Refugee Trust of Kenya) announced the cessation of funding for urban refugees located in greater Nairobi. These LGBTQI refugees were transplanted from the … More LGBTQI Refugee Coalition in Kenya Calls for Dialogue Not Protest

Protesting In Kenya Dangerous for LGBTI Refugees

March 6, 2020

From African Human Rights Coalition HERE: A WARNING Regarding Refugee Protests 2020-03-06 | AFrican HRC, Volunteer Staff WARNING: WE ARE URGING LGBTI REFUGEES IN KENYA TO READ OUR ADVISORY BELOW AND CONSIDER REFRAINING FROM PROTESTS ANYWHERE IN KENYA AT THIS TIME WE ARE URGING POTENTIAL FUNDERS OF PROTESTS TO NOTE THIS ADVISORY To ALL refugees in Kenya: … More Protesting In Kenya Dangerous for LGBTI Refugees

Funding of Protests: Responsible Donors and Funders Context Africa LGBTQI

March 1, 2020

With a Focus on Kenya In a recent advisory written for African Human Rights Coalition it is noted that leadership has a heightened responsibility when staging protests, especially under circumstances that have wide far reaching impacts on entire LGBTQI refugee resettlement and protection programs. There has been widespread appreciation by those impacted, who have expressed … More Funding of Protests: Responsible Donors and Funders Context Africa LGBTQI

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

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

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 

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

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

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 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

LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

December 11, 2018

Kenya is a hostile host to LGBTI refugees:– Thirty LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya, mostly Ugandans participating in an approved peaceful demonstration, tried to deliver a document to UNHCR, but after being refused entry into the compound were viciously attacked by police.  I have reached out to UNHCR for comment and will update accordingly. The conditions … More LGBT Refugee Peaceful Protest Turns Violent at UNHCR Compound in Kenya

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

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

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

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

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