Uphold sexual minority rights in the great lakes

In May 2023 Uganda a country in the Great Lakes region of Africa neighboring Rwanda enacted one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023. The new law has stiff penalties that include life imprisonment for anyone convicted of homosexuality and in some cases mandates the death penalty. The draconian law has upended the lives of sexual minorities. The law also targets non-governmental organizations assisting the LGBTQ+ persons

In recent weeks, disturbing videos have surfaced showing mounting hostility towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals in Uganda since the reintroduction of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

We are currently seeing an increased influx of LGBTQ refugees from Uganda seeking assistance from our organization.

Human Rights First Rwanda Association has stood with the Uganda LGBTQ community in denouncing this law which undermine fundamental human rights. We have issued press statements to condemn the law which can be accessed below during the Pride Month.

http://rwandainspirer.com/fr/2023/06/06/human-rights-first-rwanda-association-stands-against-ugandas-side-on-lgbtq-people/

With your continued support We will be able to assist the LGBTQ community in Uganda and those that have fled out of fear of persecution through Legal Aid provision and providing shelter before they are granted refugee status.

Let’s stand for Love no one should be persecuted or lose life because of their choice of Love.

Millions of people around the world face human rights violations because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). These violations are often ignored or given insufficient attention by governments, especially when they are committed by government authorities themselves. 

For the past three months Human Rights First Rwanda and its partners namely Alternative Cote d’Ivoire,Synergía – Initiatives for Human Rights. who were denied observe status by the African Commission because the three organizations have beneficiaries who are sexual minorities have been raising awareness of the repercussion of denying Observe status of organizations that protect Sexual minorities rights.

The wider implication is that the decision will affect other organizations which include those that protect the rights of Gender minorities, Transgender persons and lesbians, it may also discourage other organizations who would want to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community.

In this context, the ability of human rights defenders to engage with the African commission and use its mechanisms to put pressure on states to make positive change becomes even more important.

With your continued support we shall continue engaging with various CSOs so as to bring them on board towards this advocacy campaign.

Links:

• Statement of Rejection of Observe status