Uphold sexual minority rights in the great lakes

COVID-19 has introduced unprecedented challenges across the Globe the worst affected are the ones who already face daily discrimination and  exclusion in society  before the breakout of the epidemic in this case sexual minorities and othe minority groups.

In Rwanda Human Rights First Rwanda Association has mobilized our teams to assist the LGBTI community with Food pakcages and other Necessities like Medicine. We have also intensified our media campaign to stop discrimination and homophobic attacks on the community as highlighted  in this article written by the leading newspaper, Rwanda Today  http://rwandatoday.africa/news/Vulnerable-bear-brunt-of-Covid-19/4383214-5540948-1540we3z/index.html?fbclid=IwAR1knY_P3Wcey8tOkFiAY0zIHhLoZa7Mwj7CAgmgVa8ZvAjxxxuw_rLy7w4

Our Team has also been able to assist the LGBTI community with education on the full extent of the virus, especially how it spreads and how to take preventive measures like regular washing of hands with soap  and social distancing  although this becomes a problem because of the extent of poverty that sexual minority live and atimes have to share a house with more than 10 community members. 

We are hoping through your continued support we can provide protein-rich food and immunity-boosting supplements,masks,  hand-sanitizers you will have helped Sexual minorities who are in dire need of your assistance. We are together in this fight against Covid-19

Human Rights first Rwanda Association held a workshop with members of the LGBTQ community

The members present were reminded of the importance of Collecting information and documenting evidence of human rights violations against the LGBTQ persons so at give credibility to advocacy and policy-oriented campaign.

Among also other issues discussed is the need to organize round table meetings with various people of influence including parliamentarians, religious leaders and also to try and forge a Woking relationship with the Human Rights commission.

Significantly it was mentioned that now that some influential religious members had come out to reveal their sexual orientation this should be a positive move to propel the advocacy agenda.

Further It was discussed that when considering LGBTQ issues, the roundtable meetings will be guided by principles,including:

 The equal treatment by the law and  governmentof LGBTQ people and religious freedoms

The need to protect the rights of all people at vulnerable stages of their life.

HRFRA will maintain an on-going dialogue with the LGBTQ representatives to identify  how to appropriately promote their rights and to advocate for the LGBTQ people to  be treated equallyunder the lawand by government.

Links:

• Advocacy Newspaper article in the local language Kinyarwanda