• Ukraine: Investigate Attacks on Peaceful Protest
    Dec 18, 2012
    Press release
    The Ukrainian government should condemn homophobic speech and attacks on a peaceful protest in Kiev on December 8, 2012.
  • Cameroon: Court Upholds Unjust ‘Homosexuality’ Conviction
    Dec 18, 2012
    Press release
    A Cameroonian appeals court decision on December 17, 2012, upholding a criminal conviction for homosexuality demonstrates that basic human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are under assault in Cameroon. The court upheld the conviction and three-year prison sentence for Roger Jean-Claude Mbede, a university student charged with homosexuality, and ordered his arrest.
  • UN: Ban Ki-Moon Condemns Homophobic Laws
    Dec 17, 2012
    Press release
    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, speaking at a celebration for International Human Rights Day, emphasized that human rights are universal and apply to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people along with everyone else. The event was held on December 11, 2012, at the UN in New York.
  • Russia: Reject Homophobic Bill
    Dec 10, 2012
    Press release
    Russia’s parliament should reject a proposed bill that would violate Russians’ freedom of expression and discriminate against and stigmatize Russia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
  • Malaysia: Respect Rights of LGBT People
    Dec 5, 2012
    Press release
    The Malaysian government should end rights-violating and discriminatory government policies that vilify members of Malaysia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
  • US: State Votes a Global Victory for Gay Rights
    Nov 7, 2012
    Press release
    The successful ballot initiatives on same-sex marriage in Maine, Maryland, and Washington State on November 6, 2012, were major victories for gay rights both in the United States and globally.
  • Malawi: Courageous Move to Suspend Anti-Gay Laws
    Nov 6, 2012
    Press release
    The Malawian government’s decision to suspend enforcement of laws that criminalize consensual same-sex conduct is the right thing to do, and should serve as an inspiration to other countries that criminalize homosexuality. During a radio debate last week with activists from Malawi’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, the justice minister announced a moratorium on arrests on the basis of the country’s colonial-era sodomy laws.
  • Cameroon: Investigate Threats Against Rights Lawyers
    Oct 24, 2012
    Press release
    Authorities in Cameroon should promptly investigate threats against two prominent lawyers who are representing clients accused of homosexuality. The government should publicly denounce the threats against the defense lawyers and ensure that they receive necessary protection.
  • Russia: Investigate Attack on Gay-Friendly Bar
    Oct 12, 2012
    Press release
    Russian authorities should promptly and effectively investigate a violent attack on a gay-friendly club in Moscow on October 11, 2012.
  • Serbia: Revoke Ban on Belgrade Pride Parade
    Oct 5, 2012
    Press release
    Serbia’s ban on the Belgrade Pride Parade, scheduled for October 6, 2012, violates the country’s international legal obligations and should be immediately repealed. On October 3, the Interior Ministry announced that based on an assessment of security risks, it was blocking the peaceful demonstration and all other public gatherings on the same date.