South African NGOs mourn murder of Ugandan gay rights activist
By Mark | January 28, 2011
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, Treatment Action Campaign and Section27 are saddened and outraged to learn of the brutal murder of comrade David Kato in Kampala, Uganda yesterday, 26 January 2011. We join activists in Africa and across the world in condolences to fellow comrades in Uganda, his loved ones, family and friends. Read the rest of this entry »
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Defending LGBT rights in Africa
By Info | December 1, 2010
Progress, 30 November 2010
by Michael Cashman MEP
As the US evangelical right takes its anti-gay battles to Africa, the need is urgent to uphold human rights there, on the ground and at the UN and, not to fear the ‘sovereignty’ argument – the same as was used about apartheid. Read the rest of this entry »
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AIDS discriminates because we discriminate
By Mark | November 2, 2010
A message from AIDS Free World
Throughout November a 520-square-foot silent video message from AIDS-Free World, is being beamed across New York’s Times Square once every hour, every day.
Watch the video here. Read the rest of this entry »
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Malawi: Human rights activists commend presidential pardon of gay couple
By Info | June 3, 2010
Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), 29 May 2010
Today’s order for the unconditional pardon and immediate release from prison of Tionge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza by Malawian President and African Union Chairperson Bingu wa Mutharika is a welcome one. The two have been serving a sentence of 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for their convictions under the Malawi Penal Code prohibitions on “unnatural offences” (Section 153) and “indecent practices between males” (Section 156). Read the rest of this entry »
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Zimbabwe Update – May 2010
By Laura | May 28, 2010
The May 2010 Zimbabwe Update is now available to view on the ACTSA website.
In this month’s update we focus on the ongoing challenges in implementing the Global Political Agreement, the new Media Commission as it begins the process of licensing, the latest visit of monitors at Chiadzwa mines. We also cover the arrest of LGBT activists, staff shortages in schools and the recent conference to reunify ZINASU. Read the rest of this entry »
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Bishops press Zuma to speak up on gay couple
By Laura | May 27, 2010
The Anglican Church in southern Africa has called on President Jacob Zuma and the government to lobby for the immediate release of two Malawian men sentenced to 14 years in prison because of their homosexual relationship.
“We urge them to press for the swift release of these two individuals, who have committed no act of violence or harm against anyone, for the quashing of the sentence against them and for the repeal of this repressive legislation,” the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa said. Read the rest of this entry »
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Denial of gay rights adds to risk of Aids
By Laura | May 26, 2010
Letter from Stop AIDS Campaign (of which ACTSA is a member), published in the Guardian, Monday 24 May 2010
It is with grave dismay that we learn of the imprisonment of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga (Malawian gay couple jailed for 14 years, 21 May) and join with numerous southern African organisations in condemning the decision and the impact it will have on the individuals and the principle of universal human rights. Read the rest of this entry »
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Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition on the persecution of LGBTIs
By Laura | May 25, 2010
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition registers its deep concern over the continued persecution of LGBTIs (Lesbians, Gays, Bi-Sexuals, Inter-sexed and Transvestites) by Zimbabwean authorities as evidenced by the raid on the Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) offices, seizure of property belonging to the association on the 21st of May 2010 and the subsequent arrests of two GALZ employees, Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Muhambi on the same day.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), the duo stands accused of possessing indecent material and insulting the office of the President. Two days after the raid and arrests, Paul Mangwana, the Constitutional Parliamentary Committee (COPAC) co-Chairperson, made discriminatory and partisan utterances on the homosexuality discourse in the constitution making process. Read the rest of this entry »
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COSATU celebrates Africa Day
By Laura | May 25, 2010
Africa Day: Celebrating the rich heritage and legacy of working class struggles in Africa – COSATU
COSATU greets all workers on the African continent on this Africa Day. On 25th May 1963 the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was founded, which later became the African Union (AU). Since then, 25th May has become known as Africa Day and is associated with the rich legacy of struggle for freedom from colonial rule and for national sovereignty and democratic rule of Africa. Read the rest of this entry »
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Mugabe police arrest gay rights workers in Zimbabwe
By Laura | May 25, 2010
The Guardian, Tuesday 25 May 2010
Police have arrested two members of a gay organisation after they posted a letter in their office from Willie Lewis Brown, the former mayor of San Francisco, criticising the Zimbabwean president’s opposition to homosexuality, their lawyer said today.
Ellen Chadehama, 34, and Ingatius Mhambi, 38, are employees of the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe organisation. They were arrested on allegations under Zimbabwe’s censorship laws on Friday. Read the rest of this entry »
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