All Out, an organization created to help LGBTQ members of communities across the globe, has recently taken on the plight of Brenda Namigadde, a Ugandan woman who escaped to England eight years ago for fear of her life, because of her sexual orientation. At the moment, Brenda is facing deportation back to Uganda, even in the wake of the brutal killing of David Kato, one of Uganda’s most prominent gay activists, on the 26th.
All out provides information of the abuses to which members of the LGBTQ are subjected to on a daily basis, even protected under the law. “In 76 countries around the world being LGBT is a criminal offense. In 10, it is legal grounds for execution or life imprisonment. Even in countries where LGBT people have secured basic rights, many LGBT people are denied the opportunity to live full and equal lives and endure daily homophobia.”
All Out has started an online petition which they say has been signed by 50,000 people from over 160 countries, requesting Brenda be granted asylum so she can remain in England. Perhaps as a result of the political efforts to keep Brenda safe, a UK High Court judge granted a temporary injunction in Brenda’s case yesterday, meaning the decision of whether to grant her asylum or to deport her will be postponed.
Please halt the impending deportation of Brenda Namigadde (Case Ref # 1166867), a Ugandan lesbian scheduled for removal. Brenda fled Uganda eight years ago because of persecution for her sexuality, but if forced to return Brenda fears that she’ll be, “tortured, or killed … they’ve put people like me to death there.” The fact that a virulently anti-gay, high ranking member of the Ugandan government has taken note of her case means that Brenda faces clear and present danger if she is returned to Uganda.
Last July you told the press, “We have already promised to stop the removal of asylum seekers who have had to leave particular countries because their sexual orientation or gender identification puts them at proven risk of imprisonment, torture or execution.” Please use all of the powers at your disposal to act now to halt Brenda’s deportation.
I urge you all to read and sign this petition, since it is truly a cause that spans the political spectrum. No matter where a person lives s/h/ze should not be punished for his/her/zer sexual practices if they are not hurting anyone. If we become aware of countries which practice this kind of discrimination it is our duty to protect those who have risked persecution by admitting their identities and have asked us for help.
Note: Thanks to Brandeis’ TRISK for sending out information about this human rights abuse and providing the links upon which the majority of this post is based.