IDAHOBIT 2020

BREAKING THE SILENCE ON INCREASED VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST LGBTIQ REFUGEES IN UGANDA 

Kampala Uganda; 17th MAY 2020

Simma Africa Creative Arts Foundation (SAF) joins the rest of the world to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (Idahobit). The 17th of May is a day dedicated to awareness raising about the stigma, discrimination, violence and repression targeting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer communities around the world.

'Breaking the Silence' is the universal theme for IDAHOBIT this year 2020. This is so timely for LGBTIQ+ Refugees, Ugandans and our allies to once again say 'enough is enough'. We are breaking the silence on the increase in prosecution (raids, arbitrary arrests and detention) and persecution (evictions physical and psychological harm) of LGBTIQ Persons that go unreported by the media and members of our community.

IDAHOBIT 2019 being hosted at Chapter Four Uganda Premises was disrupted by the Uganda Police Force Uganda Police Disrupt IDAHOBIT. Since then we have recorded 4 brutal LGBT Killings in the months of August and September (2019). Over 257 arbitrary arrests and detentions- In October 2019 police officers arrested 16 people from a shelter in Wakiso District on suspicion of homosexuality.

On 19th March 2020, two police men raided the office of SAF confiscated two laptops, two phones and destroyed two laptops. They assaulted 4 members of staff in the office and took off with the office merchandise once people from the neighboring office came to see what the scuffle and noise was all about. Since the staffs were sexual minorities they were afraid to report due to fear of imprisonment if the police saw the sensitive data on their laptops. Secondly the three members are refugees who are still processing their refugee IDs and this increased the insecurity they felt due to the assault.

In the same month of March 29th, an LGBT shelter run by COSF in Kyengera was raided 23 people arrested and 19 of them remain in remand for over 40 days.

As a coalition of SAF, Access For All (AFA) and Africa Youth Action Network (AYAN) we have since continued to register cases of persecution; condemned 7 evictions, 11 family banishment, 47 cases of online harassment and 8 physical attacks as a result of the state sanctioned homophobia. We further witnessed a section of legislators float the idea of a new Anti-Homosexuality Bill which was dismissed by the Executive. Furthermore, the lesbian, bisexual and queer women have registered rape and other forms of sexual violence and harassment.

As we mark IDAHOBIT this Sunday 17th May 2020; it is blatant that the Uganda Police Force officers have continuously disregarded the rights to liberty, privacy, dignity and equality of LGBTIQ Refugees whom they have wantonly stripped of fundamental human rights.

On behalf of the lesbian gay bisexual transgender, intersex and Queer community in Uganda, we reiterate our CALL TO ACTION;

Government of Uganda

1. We call upon the Government of Uganda; to ensure the security, safety and well-being of all Refugees regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

2. We urge the police authorities and other law enforcement agents to protect and respect the fundamental human rights of LGBTIQ people in Uganda, consistent with the Constitution of Uganda.

3. We further urge the leadership of the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Human Rights Commission and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions to investigate the raids and arrests targeting LGBTIQ persons, and ensure that those who abuse their positions of power are held accountable for human rights violations committed against the LGBTIQ+ refugee community.

Diplomatic Corps and International Partners

1. To the Diplomatic corps to raise concerns about discrimination with the government of Uganda and to ensure that their multilateral partnerships protect the rights of all Ugandans regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.

2. To international allies to engage all their capitals to diplomatically engage the government of Uganda to stop any form of violence perpetrated against sexual and gender minorities.

LGBTIQ+ Refugee Community

1. We urge you to stay calm, vigilant and immediately report any violations to the relevant security agencies, police, local councils and relevant local organizations.

Media:

1. We call upon the media fraternity, both local and international, to refrain from publishing subjective and sensational stories about LGBTIQ issues.

2. We call upon the media to respectfully break the silence by reporting cases concerning human rights violation of LGBTIQ persons without prejudice or subjecting them to further risk by exposing their faces to the public, addresses and other personal details.

"Breaking the Silence" Together.