Uphold sexual minority rights in the great lakes

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has presented severe challenges for the human population. The first case in Rwanda was reported on Saturday 14^th March 2020 and this has become a challenge for the populace and more especially vulnerable and marginalized groups mainly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, and other queer youth in the country. These challenges range from economic to reduced access to health services and an increase in human rights violations resulting from widespread lockdown to curtail the virus's spread. Some religious leaders in and other local leaders in the country have made homophobic statements linking homosexuality to the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic.  There are reasons to worry that such rhetoric drives or contributes to the violations that sexual minorities suffer especially during a pandemic like this one.

Furthermore, shrinking civic spaces that have been necessitated by governments instituting restrictions on movements, lockdowns, and lack of access to justice has stifled the LGBTI community in Rwanda access to support from well-wishers. Instances of domestic violence either by a partner or by other family members have increased across the board but significantly worsened for LGBTI persons because they have the additional barrier of not wanting to be neglected and, as such, will not report to law enforcement agents. LGBTI who would ordinarily not be in close daily contact with homophobic family members have been forced to live with them during the lockdown, which can be directly linked to the increase in domestic violence cases

 Homelessness has been another challenge that has disproportionately affected LGBTI persons since the beginning of the pandemic. Even, when they provide shelter for themselves by trying to support each other and living together, they are at risk of being targeted by law enforcement officers under the guise of curtailing the spread of coronavirus. In Kigali, our researcher interviewed some Lesbian who tried to stay together during the lockdown, and they expressed worry that locals might target them within their community who were aware that the shelter housed sexual minorities.

Human Rights First Rwanda Association has intensified its campaign to denounce violence and discrimination perpetrated to the LGBTQ community via radio and online brochures and also has tried to urge partners and other stake holders to assist the community through Humanitarian aid.

With your continued support we will be able to continue to assist our vulnerable and disadvantaged LGBTI community in Rwanda.

• Advocacy Discrimination and Violence Brochure (PDF)