OUTfront! Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights
UPDATE: Uganda LGBT Human Rights Defenders, Oundo George and Kiiiza Brenda Released from Prison
On 17 September, Oundo George and Kiiza Brenda, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights defenders were released after a week in police detention at Nabweru Police Post.They were released on bond, after being charged for ‘involvement in indecent practices’. They are required to report to the police post on Wednesday 24 September.
NEWS:
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sarajevo Queer Festival organizers still under threat
The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights activists and the participants of the Sarajevo Queer Festival continue to receive death threats. On 25 September one of the main national dailies, Dnevni Avaz, published the names of all individuals who were injured in the attack that took place on 24 September after the opening of the festival. The names were then published in two other dailies – Oslobodjenje and Nezavisne Novine.
Read more»
Malaysia: Charges against Anwar politically motivated
Sodomy charges against Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim may be an attempt to stop him from running for election to parliament, Amnesty International said today.
Read more »
Event: Beyond Stonewalled: Building a Grassroots Alliance to Create Police Accountability
Help us use the context of Chicago Pride 2008 in June to put international-level pressure on Chicago's Mayor Daley to speak out publicly about these cases and on the issue of police abuse and accountability in general. Take Action Now »
Turkey: Respect LGBT People's Right to Freedom of Association
A local court in Istanbul ordered the closure of the Turkish lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender solidarity organization, Lambda Istanbul saying its objectives were against Turkish "moral values and family structure". Amnesty International considers it an act of discrimination and a violation of the right to freedom of expression to close or attempt to close organizations on the basis of advocating for the rights of persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Take action now for LGBT rights in Turkey »
AIUSA Member Profile: Hana Pinard
Read the story of AIUSA member Hana Pinard who is working with Group 23 in Houston, Texas to fight against transphobic and homophobic human rights abuses at home and abroad. Read Hana's profile!
Amnesty International and Mozaika Show Solidarity During Riga Pride
Recently, Amnesty International participated jointly with Latvian gay rights advocates during Riga's annual Pride. Click here to watch the YouTube video.
Uganda: Amnesty International condemns attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
Amnesty International is concerned by continuing harassment and attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights defenders in Uganda, and today called on the government of Uganda to ensure the safety of LGBT human rights defenders in Uganda and to end the harassment of LGBT people by Ugandan police officers. Click here for more information.
UPDATE: Sexual Minorities UGanda (SMUG) chairperson Usaam Mukwaaya was re-arrested Saturday, June 7, 2008, held by police for four and a half hours and then released on the condition that he return on June 10th. Meanwhile despite objections from UNAIDS, police refuse to drop criminal tresspass and forgery against Mukwaaya and two other activists arrested along with him June 4th.
NEWS: Filmmaker Pervez Sherma explores the issue of homosexuality in Islam in his groundbreaking documentary A Jihad for Love. Jihad for Love opened in New York City on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the IFC Center. The first two weeks were so successful, the theater has added a third week of screening the film. Panels and Q&As continue to follow selected film screenings. Check www.ajihadforlove.com for details. » Watch the Film Trailer
» Order your pride packet from AIUSA
NEWS: Europe: Lesbians and gay men march with pride to end prejudice
Amnesty International calls on governments in Europe to secure the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people to celebrate their identity at a series of pride marches and other public events that take place each year between April and November. » Read the press release.
GOOD NEWS: Swiss Migration Office agrees to reexamine asylum case of Anatole Zali
The Swiss Migration Office agreed to reexamine the asylum case of gay Cameroonian national Anatole Zali, who is at risk of being forcibly deported to his native country. » Read more
UPDATE: Hu Jia Back in Prison
Beijing-based human rights activist Hu Jia was formally charged with “inciting subversion” on 28 January. Hu Jia is the co-founder of the Beijing Aizhixing Institute of Health Education and an outspoken advocate for people with HIV/AIDS. He has publicly criticized the authorities over their treatment of people with AIDS and other issues, and has been detained on numerous occasions in the past in connection with his peaceful human rights activities. »Take Action
Read the Report
Egypt: 117 NGOs Slam HIV-Based Arrests and Trials (PDF)
Amnesty International calls on Moroccan authorities to drop charges of homosexuality against six men
Six men found guilty of practicing homosexuality in Morocco/Western Sahara and convicted to prison sentences ranging from four to 10 months. Amnesty International is calling for their cases to be overturned.
» Read the Statement
Demand NYPD Investigate Transgender Women's Allegations of Abuse
Mariah Lopez and Christina Sforza, two transgender women, have come forward with allegations of abuse by the NYPD that may constitute discriminatory behavior, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
» UPDATE: One year later we're still seeking justice - keep the pressure on. (PDF format)
Laws Around the World
Take a walk around the globe with our interactive map and learn more about the laws affecting LGBT communities around the world.
» See the map
Worldwide protests call for an end to Nicaragua's Sodomy law
Thursday, September 13, 2007 - Gay Activists demonstrated outside Nicaraguan embassies and consulates in more than 10 countries world-wide as part of an international action against the country's discriminatory sodomy law. The movement was initiated by Amnesty International Mexico and protests took place in Berlin, Stockholm, Montreal, Mexico City, Santiago, Asunción and Taipei. Earlier in the week, the Icelandic section of Amnesty International organized a visit to the Nicaraguan Consul in Reykjavik to call for the law to be repealed. View protest photos »
Human Rights Goals
Amnesty International believes that LGBT people are entitled to the full range of human rights protections afforded to anyone else, and that governments have an obligation to protect and promote the basic human rights of LGBT people. Amnesty International considers people imprisoned solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity to be prisoners of conscience.
- Amnesty International calls on governments to:
- Repeal sodomy laws and all other laws criminalizing homosexuality, including discriminatory age of consent legislations.
- Enact non-discrimination laws that are inclusive of LGBT people.
- Condemn torture and ill-treatment, including forced "medical" treatment of LGBT people, and release immediately and unconditionally all LGBT prisoners of conscience who are imprisoned solely for their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
- End impunity and protect LGBT people against violence in the community by acting with due diligence to promote and protect the human rights of LGBT people, including by taking seriously and responding properly to human rights abuses targeting LGBT people.
- Work to ensure that the protection and promotion of the human rights of LGBT people are effectively advanced within the United Nations (UN) and other international governmental bodies.
about AIUSA's upcoming community event and national call to action around accountability for police abuse against LGBT people in Chicago.
