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An Equality March held in Windhoek, Namibia, to defend human rights in the face of President Sam Nujoma's verbal attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, April 28 © 2001 The Rainbow Project, Namibia.
Pictures of Pride:
LGBT Celebrations Worldwide
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People around the world face violence and inequality – and sometimes torture, even execution – because of who they love, how they look, or who they are.
Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of our selves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse.
Human Rights Watch works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s rights, with activists representing a multiplicity of identities and issues.
We document and expose abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity worldwide – including torture, killing and executions, arrests under unjust laws, unequal treatment, censorship, medical abuses, discrimination in health and jobs and housing, domestic violence, abuses against children, and denial of family rights and recognition.
We advocate for laws and policies that will protect everyone’s dignity. We work for a world where all people can enjoy their rights fully.
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Uganda: Torture Threat for HIV/AIDS Activists
Abduction and Intimidation Accompany Unfair Trial
The abduction and torture of a Ugandan HIV/AIDS activist who faces trial for holding a peaceful protest reveals the danger to those who challenge the government’s policies, Human Rights Watch, and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders said today. The three human rights organizations (the Observatory is a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture and the International Federation of Human Rights), called on the Ugandan authorities to investigate the abduction and torture and sanction those responsible. They also urged that the charges against all three human rights defenders on trial for the protest be dropped
July 30, 2008 Press Release
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United Nations: Defeat for Discrimination, Victory for Inclusion
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Groups Gain Consultative Status
The decision by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) granting consultative status to two groups that work on sexual orientation and gender identity is a victory in the ongoing struggle for inclusion at the UN, a coalition of six human rights organizations said today. The two groups approved on July 21 and 22, 2008 are COC Netherlands and the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals of Spain (FELGTB), national organizations representing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Netherlands and Spain.
July 23, 2008 Press Release
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HRW Oral Statement at the Informal Meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Transcript of oral statement by Juliana Cano Nieto, researcher of the LGBT Rights Program, presented before the CEDAW Committee in an informal meeting on the discussion of a General Recommendation for Article 2 of the CEDAW
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) sets out to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and guarantee equality. In article 1 States commit to eradicate "any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex ... on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."
July 23, 2008 Oral Statement
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EU: Governments Should Support Anti-Discrimination Directive
Broad Initiative Would Ban Discrimination for Sexual Orientation
European Union governments should vote in favor of a proposed directive providing protection from discrimination on a broad range of grounds including sexual orientation, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to leaders of all 27 member states. European Union law presently bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, disability, age or religion, in employment only.
July 16, 2008 Press Release
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Letter to the EU Governments Regarding Anti-discrimination Directive
On behalf of Human Rights Watch, I write to urge your government’s support for the European Commission’s “Proposal for a Council Directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.” As you are undoubtedly aware, European Union law presently bans discrimination based on sexual orientation only in employment.
July 16, 2008 Letter
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Letter to the Ugandan Authorities Regarding Recent Arrest of LGBT Activists
On behalf of Human Rights Watch, I write to express our deep concern over the recent arrests and charges filed against Onziema Patience, Valentine Kalende, and Usaam Mukwaaya—three human rights activists—supporting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities in Uganda during a peaceful demonstration in Kampala. We urge you to ensure that the charges against are dropped. In addition, prohibiting such a demonstration and arresting its participants amounts to an unacceptable and discriminatory interference with the peaceful exercise of the freedoms of expression and assembly.
June 11, 2008 Letter
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Uganda: Drop Charges Against Sexual Rights Activists
Censorship, Silence Around HIV/AIDS Can Kill
The arrest of three sexual rights activists during a peaceful demonstration to raise awareness about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues shows the Ugandan government’s determination to enforce silence around sexuality and HIV/AIDS, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Minister of Justice and Attorney General Edward Kiddu Makubuya.
June 11, 2008 Press Release
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Letter to the Gambian President Regarding Reported Statements that Fuel Homophobia
June 10, 2008 Letter
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Gambia: President Should Disavow Reported Homophobic Threats
Dangerous Remarks Fuel Tension and Promote Violence
President Yahya Jammeh’s reported threats to expel or kill lesbian and gay people not only encourage hatred, but also contribute to a climate in which basic rights can be assaulted with impunity, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the president. Human Rights Watch called on Jammeh to completely disavow all such statements, and to work toward repealing the country’s colonial-era sodomy law, which allows arbitrary and discriminatory arrests and invasion of privacy.
June 10, 2008 Press Release
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OAS Adopts Resolution to Protect Sexual Rights
States Condemn Violence Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) has unanimously adopted a resolution condemning human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, taking a crucial step to end the silence around violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in the Americas, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch called on OAS member governments to ensure that the resolution is implemented in their countries, and to continue their support for sexual rights internationally.
June 6, 2008 Press Release
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Turkey: Court Shows Bias, Dissolves Lambda Istanbul
Human Rights Group Ordered Closed on Procedural Grounds
A Turkish court’s decision to disband a human rights organization defending lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people shows that official repression poses a serious threat to democratic rights and freedom of association, Human Rights Watch said today.
June 2, 2008 Press Release
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Egypt: Court Upholds HIV Sentences, Reinforces Intolerance
Five Convictions in Fear-Driven Crackdown a Blow to Health and Justice
A Cairo appeals court’s decision to uphold the sentences imposed on five men jailed in a crackdown on people living with HIV/AIDS underscores the Egyptian government’s dangerous indifference to public health and justice, Human Rights Watch said today. The May 28 ruling upheld the maximum three-year prison terms for each of the five, following a months-long campaign targeting men with HIV/AIDS. A total of nine men have been sentenced to prison so far.
May 29, 2008 Press Release
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“We Need a Law for Liberation”
Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights in a Changing Turkey
 | This 123-page report documents a long and continuing history of violence and abuse based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Human Rights Watch conducted more than 70 interviews over a three-year period, documenting how gay men and transgender people face beatings, robberies, police harassment, and the threat of murder. The interviews also exposed the physical and psychological violence lesbian and bisexual women and girls confront within their families. Human Rights Watch found that, in most cases, the response by the authorities is inadequate if not nonexistent. |
HRW Index No.: 1-56432-316-1
May 22, 2008 Report
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Turkey: Homophobic Violence Points to Rights Crisis
EU Should Insist on Reforms to Counter Persisting Inequality and Abuses
Turkey should urgently change law and policy to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people from extensive harassment and brutality on the streets, in homes, and in state-run institutions, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. Human Rights Watch also called on the European Union to make Turkey’s membership aspirations contingent on ending endemic abuses and guaranteeing equal rights and protection for LGBT people.
May 22, 2008 Press Release
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Homophobia Threatens Lives and Families
International Day Against Homophobia Highlights Dangers of Bias
The president of Poland, the leader of Uganda, and the UK Home Office are making prejudicial policies and public statements that deny people’s dignity and endanger their lives, Human Rights Watch said today in its annual “Hall of Shame” to mark the International Day Against Homophobia.
May 16, 2008 Press Release
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Netherlands: Discrimination in the Name of Integration
Overseas Integration Test Infringes on Rights of Migrants
The Netherlands should abolish the overseas “integration test” that discriminatorily targets only migrants of certain nationalities trying to join their families, while citizens from other, “western” countries are exempt, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. People of Moroccan and Turkish origin – two of the three largest “non-western” migrant communities in the Netherlands – have been especially affected.
May 15, 2008 Press Release
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US: California Marriage Ruling a Victory for Human Rights
Historic Decision Confers Equal Right to Marriage to Same-Sex Couples
The California Supreme Court’s ruling today striking down state law that limits marriage to opposite-sex couples is a victory for equality that should set a national and international example, Human Rights Watch said today.
May 15, 2008 Press Release
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Written Testimony to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the Human Rights Concerns of Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs
Accurate and objective sexual education is critical to advancing public health and promoting human rights. This fact is widely accepted within the international community and is supported by the provisions of fundamental human rights instruments. Indeed, the current federal policy of funding abstinence-only programs while failing to fund comprehensive sexuality education raises serious human rights concerns. Federal abstinence-only programs threaten a number of basic human rights, including the rights to health, information, and nondiscrimination.
April 30, 2008 Written Statement
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Colombia: Court Extends Benefits to Same-Sex Couples
Same-Sex Partnerships Entitled to Health and Pension Benefits
The ruling by Colombia’s Constitutional Court on April 17 to extend pension benefits to same-sex partners sets an example for other countries in achieving equality for all, Human Rights Watch said today.
April 18, 2008 Press Release
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Kyrgyzstan: Halt Anti-Gay Raids
Police Search LGBT ‘Safe Space’
Bishkek police carried out a warrantless raid on the community center of an organization working for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in violation of the right to freedom of association, Human Rights Watch said today.
April 17, 2008 Press Release
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Christian Leaders in US Condemn Nigeria’s Anti-Gay Bill
A pending law in Nigeria that would impose brutal penalties on all relationships, activism, advocacy, and shows of affection among lesbian and gay people violates basic religious principles of respect for human dignity and life, a group of more than 250 Christian leaders said in a letter to the Nigerian government.
February 27, 2007
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An African Statement on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Human Rights
The attached statement—urging the United Nations Commission on Human Rights
to support a resolution affirming the principle of non-discrimination in
human rights based on sexual orientation, gender identity—was adopted by a
conference of African LGBT and human rights groups based in Johannesburg,
South Africa.
February 13, 2004
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U.S.: Full Marriage Rights for Same-Sex Partners
U.S. state governments should extend civil marriage to same-sex partners to ensure the equality of gay and lesbian people, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution will hold hearings on the issue today.
September 4, 2003
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Homophobia and the Church in southern Africa
In the light of current controversies about lesbian and gay people
within Christian churches, we draw your attention to recent reporting by HRW and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission on the impact of Church promotion of tolerance
or intolerance in Africa. |
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Related Links:
LGBT Web Resources
Compiled by Human Rights Watch
HIV/AIDS and Human Rights
HRW Children's Rights Division
HRW Women's Rights Division
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
Contact Us:
If you would like to
contact Human RIghts Watch about a human rights violation based on
sexual orientation or gender identity, or if you would like to learn more
about Human RIghts Watch's work on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender human rights issues, please write us at lgbt@hrw.org.
© Patricia Williams for
Human Rights Watch, 2001
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