Appeal to the African Commission

 

At the 27th African Human Rights Book Fair this year in Banjul, The Gambia, the following statement was issued concerning the rights of LGBT people:

We, the participants at the NGO Forum preceding the 53rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and the 27th African Human Rights Book Fair held from 6th-8th April 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia

Call on the African Commission to:

1. Condemn the increased incidence of discrimination and violence targeting individuals on the basis of their real or imputed sexual orientation and gender identity across Africa;

2. Call on State Parties to respect and fulfil their treaty obligations, including under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to protect all individuals from discrimination and violence irrespective of their sexual orientation and gender identity;

3. Call on State Parties to investigate and diligently prosecute cases of violence and other abuses against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity; and

4. Condemn reprisals against human rights defenders, NGOs and CSOs working on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Those familiar with the history of gay rights on the continent may recall another, less constructive, book festival speech back in 1995.