Tag: UNHCR

U.S. State Dept Human Rights Report Confirms Kenya Fails and Abuses LGBTI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

April 22, 2024

By Melanie Nathan, April 22, 2024 The U.S. State Department Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor released its 2023 Human Rights report for all countries today, including the Kenyan Human rights report for 2023.. Last year African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) reported that Kenya, despite its international commitment to the Refugee Convention, had defied … More U.S. State Dept Human Rights Report Confirms Kenya Fails and Abuses LGBTI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

UNHCR RELEASES DARIEN REGION PROTECTION MONITORING STATS

April 5, 2024

By Melanie Nathan, April 05, 2024. UNHCR released its March protection monitoring for the Darien region in Panama. Please find statistics, highlights and the link below. TRYING to reach America at the Southern U.S./ Mexico border is extremely dangerous . Africans including LGBTI are increasingly attempting what has resulted in death for so many forcibly … More UNHCR RELEASES DARIEN REGION PROTECTION MONITORING STATS

GHANA PASSES A LAW – IF YOU LGBTQ – GO TO JAIL – AND BECOMES NEW SKUNK OF THE WORLD

February 28, 2024

By Melanie Nathan, Feb 28, 2024. Ghana has become the new skunk of the world! The Parliament of Ghana has passed new anti-LGBTQ law today, sending Ghana’s LGBTQI+ community into hiding, panic and flight. The Promotion of Proper Human Sexuality and Family Values Bill is Ghana’s equivalent to Uganda’s Kill the Gays Bill, and may … More GHANA PASSES A LAW – IF YOU LGBTQ – GO TO JAIL – AND BECOMES NEW SKUNK OF THE WORLD

UK Home Secretary Braverman Shocking Attack on GAY Asylum Seekers and Refugee Systems

September 26, 2023

By Melanie Nathan, September 26, 2023 Today the U.K Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s speech at the American Enterprise Institute is nothing short of shocking. Here is Melanie Nathan from African Human Rights Coalition’s response: African Human rights Coalition Condemns Sec. Suella Braverman’s remarks in the strongest terms as homophobic and xenophobic and as failing her … More UK Home Secretary Braverman Shocking Attack on GAY Asylum Seekers and Refugee Systems

African Human Rights Coalition Proudly 2022 and Boldly 2023

December 22, 2022

With gratitude, African Human Rights Coalition is celebrating a year well spent. For an organization that has never had operational funding, what we have accomplished, together with our ambassadors, volunteers, and program donors is remarkable. Imagine what we could accomplish with operational funding! And therein lies one big hope for 2023. Our 2022 accomplishments include: … More African Human Rights Coalition Proudly 2022 and Boldly 2023

UNHCR Briefing Note LGBTQI+ Refugees in Kenya, Oct 2022

November 7, 2022

UNHCR Briefing Note – LGBTIQ+ Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Kenya, dated October 2022, dispels lies circulating on social media. Note AHRC Commentary at end. This briefing note provides an overview of UNHCR Kenya’s efforts to improve the overall protection environment for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) refugees in Kenya, including how we … More UNHCR Briefing Note LGBTQI+ Refugees in Kenya, Oct 2022

San Francisco Pride Main Stage Speech with a Rousing Intro to Something Serious

June 30, 2022

This past Sunday at SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE, 2022, I had the great honor to present, on San Francisco Civic Center Plaza Main-Stage, an historic and poignant PRIDE video greeting from UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Dr. Filippo Grandi, preceded by the courageous voices of LGBTQI+ people in forced displacement.   In a world where over … More San Francisco Pride Main Stage Speech with a Rousing Intro to Something Serious

UNHCR and USA – Good News for Advancing Needs of LGBTQI+ and other Refugee

December 17, 2021

From African Human Rights Coalition web-news: Much work occurred this past year by and on behalf of LGBTQI people in forced displacement, including the UNHCR Global Roundtable, with 13 thematic workshops resulting in 39 crucial recommendations. As well as UNHCR’s monthly consultations and Panel As well as World Pride Summit for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and … More UNHCR and USA – Good News for Advancing Needs of LGBTQI+ and other Refugee

Closing Speech at Malmö Key Points on LGBTQI+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers

August 21, 2021

Key points in Melanie Nathan’s Closing Keynote, held at World Pride, Copenhagen, 2021,Human Rights Conference and Refugee, Asylum and Immigration Summit, Malmö, Sweden The REFUGEE, ASYLUM & IMMIGRATION SUMMIT in Malmö included people with lived-experience, human rights defenders, and those who we hold responsible for the legislation, policies and services that ultimately impact and saves … More Closing Speech at Malmö Key Points on LGBTQI+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

March 25, 2021

Yesterday news came down of an ultimatum given to UNHCR by the Kenyan Government, declaring the imminent closures of Dadaab and Kakuma Camps, Kenya. The Statement can be read HERE.This statement has occurred in the context of life for LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers seeking protection and resettlement from Kenya. The Kenyan Government has maintained … More Statement on LGBTQI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

UNHCR Updates on Injured LGBTQI Refugees from Kakuma Fire

March 19, 2021

Following is the latest in several UNHCR updates regarding the condition of two LGBTQI refugees in Kakuma Camp, Kenya, who were burned in a fire where arson, under investigation, is suspected: “Update on the situation of the two persons who suffered burn injuries in the 15 March 2021 fire in Kakuma: As notified in our … More UNHCR Updates on Injured LGBTQI Refugees from Kakuma Fire

Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

December 21, 2020

Each Year I write a top 10 Heroes and Zeroes. This year it is very simple! Or should I say Pandemic worn down – renders it simple- The Heroes in each and every category are LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees and the Zeroes are Donald Trump,  his grifter family and each and every single Republican … More Pandemic reduces Heroes and Zeroes to a Reflection on 2020

Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

December 7, 2020

EMERGENCY FUNDING: LGBTQI people are criminalized in over 70 countries around the world, of which over 30 are in Africa. This has resulted in persecution, ostracization and physical attacks by governments, community, and even family and friends. Resulting in the need  to exile from one’s own country to seek safety. The stories are many and overwhelmingly … More Emergency Funding for LGBTQI Refugees and Asylum Seekers

UNHCR outraged by attack Killing 18 IDP’s in Cameroon

August 4, 2020

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, strongly condemns an unprovoked and brutal attack on a site hosting 800 internally displaced people (IDPs) near the village of Nguetchewe, … More UNHCR outraged by attack Killing 18 IDP’s in Cameroon

UNHCR Calls for Investigation into Murder of Transgender Woman in Guatemala

August 2, 2020

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, expresses its deep dismay at the violent death of a Salvadoran transgender woman who had applied for asylum in Guatemala. The woman’s body was found on August 1 at her home in Guatemala City. She had fled El Salvador in 2017 after having suffered violence due … More UNHCR Calls for Investigation into Murder of Transgender Woman in Guatemala

UNHCR Statement on Psychosocial Services Includes LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

July 13, 2020

UNHCR is deeply concerned by a number of messages we have received in recent days from individuals outside of Kenya indicating that they have been the recipients of information concerning a small group of refugees and asylum seekers in Kakuma camp who have self-identified as LGBTI and have expressed feelings of trauma and, in some … More UNHCR Statement on Psychosocial Services Includes LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma, Kenya

UNHCR Statement on Conflict in Kakuma Refugee Camp Kenya

July 10, 2020

UNHCR urges dialogue and peaceful coexistence among refugees in Kakuma refugee camp UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, called today for enhanced dialogue among refugee communities living in Kakuma to help reduce the tensions which have emerged in a specific area of the refugee camp. In recent weeks, UNHCR has received conflicting reports from different communities … More UNHCR Statement on Conflict in Kakuma Refugee Camp Kenya

UNHCR Reminds about the Importance of respecting Kenyan Law

July 3, 2020

Any activists providing funding that has served to assist refugees to leave Kakuma Camp, need to be aware that they are aiding and abetting in the commission of crime that could subject the refugee to detrimental repercussions that negatively impact chances of resettlement. Refugees in host country Kenya are asked not to break the law.  It … More UNHCR Reminds about the Importance of respecting Kenyan Law

IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

May 16, 2020

IDAHOT – International Day Against Transphobia and Homophobia, IDAHOT: 2020 Theme BREAK THE SILENCE Today, May 17th is the day millions of people around the world commemorate IDAHOT, a special day, to raise awareness and commit further to impact the right to liberty, equality, justice and happiness for LGBTI people around the globe. However violence … More IDAHOT 2020 LGBTI Refugees and UNHCR Breaking the Silence

COVID-19 Emergency Response by ALLOUT, African HRC, REFCEA to LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp

May 11, 2020

Here is the current posting from African Human Rights Coalition website, with thanks for COVID-19 RESPONSE: African Human Rights Coalition (African HRC – AHRC) would like to thank all partners, donors and refugees involved in the various COVID-19 emergency related food and sanitization distributions at Kakuma Camp during April and May. DONATIONS TO ALLOUT FOR COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE … More COVID-19 Emergency Response by ALLOUT, African HRC, REFCEA to LGBTI Refugees in Kakuma Camp

Citing COVID-19 AHRC Urges Kakuma Participants of LGBTI Sit-In to Return to Shelters

April 29, 2020

“African HRC urges potential protesters to consider the good of all and refrain at this time from this sit-in, which could have a detrimental impact to one’s resettlement later on, as any arrests under COVID-19 will likely be recorded on people’s portfolios which the foreign embassies examine when selecting candidates for resettlement.” African HRC (AHRC) … More Citing COVID-19 AHRC Urges Kakuma Participants of LGBTI Sit-In to Return to Shelters

UNHCR Response to COVID-19 urging International Community support for refugees

April 25, 2020

And calls on the international community to continue its valuable support to refugees, asylum-seekers and host communities during this unprecedented situation. As the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, notes the increasing challenges faced by refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable populations, and calls for continued solidarity. UNHCR appreciates the … More UNHCR Response to COVID-19 urging International Community support for refugees

Responding to Tragic Death of Ugandan LGBTI Refugee

April 13, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition: We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing today of Ugandan national, and refugee Aneste Mweru, age 27. We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to all of those who knew and loved Aneste. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing. UNHCR has advised that the Kenyan police … More Responding to Tragic Death of Ugandan LGBTI Refugee

UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya

March 25, 2020

CAUTION: Please refrain from portraying certain situations inaccurately. We would advise you to be cautious and to verify information and facts prior to circulating unconfirmed COVID-19-related information further.  This can cause an enormous amount of harm to everyone. Be sure of your facts before you post them on Social Media. We caution anyone spreading any information to sure off the … More UNHCR and African HRC COVID-19 Corona Virus Advisories for Refugees in Kenya

Corona Virus – AHRC Kenyan Refugee and U.S. Embassy Advisory

March 16, 2020

African Human Rights Coalition – COVID-19 Advisory- HERE PLEASE KEEP VISITING KENYAN  MINISTRY OF HEALTH FOR UPDATES: The new Coronavirus – called COVID-19 virus causes fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. There is no need to panic. It is VERY IMPORTANT at this time for community to work cooperatively and in unity. It … More Corona Virus – AHRC Kenyan Refugee and U.S. Embassy Advisory

LGBTI Refugees in Kenya Dialogue for Financial Solutions

March 14, 2020

The Refugee Coalition of East Africa,(RefCEA) a strong body of refugees representing LGBTQI refuges in Kenya, is proving how dialogue and compromise can lead to solutions, through a series of meetings in Kenya. These meetings are undoubtedly serving the best interests of the tenuous LGBTQI refugee program’s ability to survive its stress and tests in … More LGBTI Refugees in Kenya Dialogue for Financial Solutions

UNHCR: World Response to COVID-19 Must Focus on ALL Including Displaced Persons

March 13, 2020

AHRC ADVISORY:  In the face of the sudden uncertainty and vulnerability of the COVID-19 virus as it spreads, our thoughts are with the millions of displaced people around the world. During this time we will continue to advocate in solidarity and for durable solutions for refugees and asylum seekers. Not everyone is at risk for … More UNHCR: World Response to COVID-19 Must Focus on ALL Including Displaced Persons

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