UN says US violating international law, calls for closure of Guantanamo
“We must be clear about this: The United States is in clear breach not just of its own commitments but also of international laws and standards that it is obliged to uphold,” the UN high commissioner for human rights said in a statement.
A Luta Continua
Today marks two years since our friend David Kato, a Ugandan human rights hero and openly-gay activist, was murdered in his home. Today, we remember him for many reasons, namely his incredible work to liberate his Ugandan LGBT brothers and sisters. May his legacy be immortal.
At Central United Methodist honoring Dr. King and his legacy, and commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Rosa Parks.
Rally to take place after.
Cheers to freedom and equality.
"The use of torture in the fight against terrorism did severe damage to America’s values and standing that cannot be justified or expunged. It remains a stain on our national conscience."
Senators Diane Feinstein, Carl Levin and John McCain
this statement is so incredibly simple and true, and perhaps that’s what makes it so powerful.
Tell the Senate Intelligence Committee: Release the CIA torture report
#legacyliveson
happy birthday, Dr. King.
how did i spend my sunday, you ask?
well, first i ate some breakfast, and cleaned the kitchen.
it was then time to shower.
following this riveting morning routine, i did some research on the international guidelines for detention, specifically as it relates to asylum-seekers, and its adverse effect on this already traumatized population—and how the US does its own thing in most cases.
(surprise, surprise.)
it was an afternoon of refugees, asylum-seekers/asylees, torture, detention, and medical effects. (there were also some breaks where i read ACLU’s “Know Your Rights” manual, and briefly about the 2013 version NDAA.)
in comparison to recent past, i tweeted up a storm. (@tkriii)
sources included: Physicians for Human Rights, Human Rights First, Amnesty International, UN and UNHCR, Detention Watch Network, and Migration Policy Institute.
i should also note that i can’t say i went deep into the topic because i was doing so much. every time i would read something, it would refer me to another document or website or organization.
information overload. mind. is. blown. or, rather, mush.
oh, more importantly, the NHL is back. (<—COMPLETE SARCASM.)
this is also a COMPLETEly pointless post.
but thought i would share anyway—hence the fact that i published it.
i did some research, but…
talk to me about Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chair of the African Union Commission. what are your thoughts about her?
i’m mostly concerned with her human rights record and her [potential] legitimacy. i know she was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa back in the day, but are her values the same?
Tutu urges Uganda to drop bid to jail gays and lesbians
“My brothers and sisters, you stood with people who were oppressed because of their skin color. If you are going to be true to the Lord you worship, you are also going to be there for the people who are being oppressed for something they can do nothing about: their sexual orientation,” he said.
Tutu said people do not choose their sexual orientation, and would be crazy to choose homosexuality “when you expose yourself to so much hatred, even to the extent of being killed.”
I AM UGANDAN.
If you know me, and if you’ve been following the “Kill the Gays” bill in Uganda, it should come as no surprise to you that there are no words to describe what I’m feeling. A reportedly 500,000 Ugandans identify as LGBT and would therefore b
Hats off to Frank Mugisha and the unimaginable bravery of all those fighting for their rights, or perhaps I should say life. Until equality reigns, I am Ugandan. I stand with you.
"I write because I know the time of rape and male domination can and will come to an end and the energy of hoarding and pillaging and hurting will be transformed into sharing and including and feeling the heart inside each heart."
Eve Ensler, “I Write From the Sky Between Mexico CIty and Guatemala City” (11.21.12)
no commentary on my part necessary.
LGBT Asylees Win Life in U.S. After Persecution Abroad
In 1994, the Board of Immigration Appeals at U.S. Immigration declared asylum for a gay man from Cuba, essentially including sexual orientation as a new criterion.
“Since then, it’s increasingly become an accepted reason for someone to seek asylum if they fear for their safety or freedom,” said Victoria Neilson, legal director for Immigration Equality.
incredibly thankful that standard has been set.
A Survivor of Torture Finds a Safe Haven in New York
“In 1993, he was arrested and taken to a military camp where he was interrogated under torture. For five weeks, he was repeatedly beaten and humiliated; some of his teeth were pulled out.
He was released but was arrested, tortured and imprisoned several more times, he said.
[…]
After General Eyadéma’s death in 2005, the military installed his son Faure Gnassingbé, and then engineered his formal election; that election incited a tide of violence and civil dissent. Mr. Idrissou said the situation became even more dangerous for him.
In September 2006, one of his sons warned him that men had come to their home to arrest him again. Fearing for his life, Mr. Idrissou did not return home but fled to the United States, where he was granted asylum. “
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honored to be working at an organization such as the one (Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture) who helped this gentleman and his family.
the name is Freedom House. please check us out. we do phenomenal work. feel free to inquire.
RFK Center Roundly Condemns Uganda’s Attempts to Pass the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Any Form
“If Ugandan parliament passes this Bill into law, they will in effect have one of the most discriminatory legal regimes in the world for sexual minorities,” said Canton. “Uganda already has anti-gay laws in its penal code left over from British colonial rule that provide legal cover for the harassment of its LGBTI people. With this additional legislation, LGBTI people could face increased levels of physical and sexual abuse, intimidation and harassment, arbitrary arrests, and extortion.”
i’m scared. for the people of Uganda. for the people of Africa. for the people of the world. [for me.]
this could directly lead to an increase in the population that i work with, either at my organization or others throughout the country. while i’m sad one is driven to flee her/his own country due to such blatant denial of her/his fundamental rights, i will welcome them with open arms.
