U.N. Human Rights Council elections: Why they are important to the international LGBT movement Continue reading
Tag Archives: Amnesty International
Tanzania, stop threatening backers of pregnant girls, LGBT people
Tanzania must put an end to its threats against supporters of pregnant teenagers, young mothers and LGBT people, 18 national and international advocacy groups declared today. They endorsed an appeal by 25 Tanzanian advocacy groups that urged the government to drop a plan to block teenage mothers from returning to school. Continue reading
For gays in Chechnya: A U.S. plea, a petition, a prayer
Among many international responses to reports of mass arrests of LGBT people in Chechnya were an official U.S. State Department call for an investigation by the Russian government, a petition from Amnesty International, and a brief prayer from a queer Christian blogger. Continue reading
Appeal to Uganda: Stop break-ins that target advocates
Thirty-one international human rights organizations have written to Uganda’s Inspector General of Police, calling for an end to the passive police response to a series of recent break-ins and one murder at Ugandan advocacy organizations. The non-governmental organizations urged police to conduct a thorough investigation leading to prosecution of the people involved in the crimes. … Continue reading
Cameroon lawyer: It’s time to repeal our anti-gay law
The repeal of Cameroon’s anti-LGBT law is long overdue, says a member of the Human Rights Commission of the Cameroon Bar Association. In fact, says barrister Walter Atoh, “It is absolutely sickening and ridiculous that in the 21st century a homosexual act gets a person in Cameroon six months to five years imprisonment.” Atoh, known … Continue reading
Amnesty plea: Six men free on bail, but in grave danger
Amnesty International is seeking international support for its plea that six Tunisian students be cleared of homosexuality charges. The organization also seeks an investigation into the students’ reports that they were tortured in prison before being released on bail. Amnesty’s plea is in addition to petitions on Avaaz.org and AllOut.org in support of the Tunisian … Continue reading
Activists failed Roger Mbede; who killed him?
Reporter Robbie Corey-Boulet conducted an in-depth investigation into the death of Roger Mbede, a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience who was imprisoned in 2011 in anti-gay Cameroon for amorous text messages, was released from prison in 2012 in poor health, and died last year under suspicious circumstances at his family’s home. These are excerpts … Continue reading
Bad news, good news in Ukraine Pride march, violence
Annotated excerpts from coverage of the Saturday, June 6, Pride march in Ukraine by BuzzFeed and the Washington Blade: BAD NEWS: Nine police officers were injured during a LGBT “March for Equality” in Kiev on Saturday, after right-wing counter protesters attacked the event. GOOD NEWS: Police deployed more than 2,000 officers to protect the event, … Continue reading
Anti-‘gay propaganda’ bill blocked in Kazakhstan
Opponents of human rights for LGBTI people in Kazakhstan suffered a setback last week, as the nation’s Constitutional Council blocked enactment of a Russian-style anti-“gay propaganda” bill. The council announced on May 26 that it rejected the bill last week on the grounds that it contained “vague and ambiguous definitions and terms.” Last August, the … Continue reading
New lesbian supporters at work in Cameroon, Europe
Cameroon’s new association of activist women and their supporters has been busy in Cameroon and in Europe, seeking greater opportunities, improved health care, and basic human rights for lesbians and transgender women. The organization AVAF (Association for the Promotion of Women) has been active in Cameroon, led by its local board of directors, all of … Continue reading
