19th February Hate Motivated Violence Seminar.

22nd February,2010.

GALCK Centre,

Nairobi.

On the 19th February,the exchange crew had a Hate Motivated Violence Seminar which had the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya,Elisabeth Jacobsen,as the Guest of Honor.

The seminar was held prior to the global World Day of Justice that was marked on the 20th February.

In her speech to about 40 LGBTI members of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya,she made it clear that the Norwegian government takes a vital role in protecting human rights for everyone.This,she said,is possible die to the fact that the Norway works hand in hand with the United Nations (With the General Assembly in New York and Human Rights Assembly in Geneva) and bilaterrally through Pilot Embassies and other human rights bodies/organizations.

In 2008,Norway was part nations that signed the Human Rights,gender Identity and orientation statement that called for the decriminalization of  homosexuality.The statement was supported by 66 countries that included 6 African countries.Norway was also part and parcel of the Universal Peer Review that GALCK also took part in.

The Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministry has guidelines on its embassies abroad on human rights issues.The embassies,among other things;

• Following on local events.
• Maintaining contacts with human rights organizations,and LGBTI groups.
• Raise awareness on LGBTI rights.
• Offer support to H.I.V activities.
• Respond to unfair arrests and harassment/abuse.

The Norwegian government,in their efforts to combat discrimination to LGBTI persons,have 4 pilot embassies in Kenya,Uganda,Nepal and Nicaragua.Pilot Embassies focus more on LGBTI rights.

The Ambassador also had an opportunity to listen to first hand cases of violence against LGBTI persons in Kenya.The 5member organizations had representatives each o present on various cases.The most common scenarios included;

• Denial of medical service provision.
• Discrimination at work places and schools.
• Physical and verbal abuse.
• Sexual Violence.

It was however,discovered that most of the violations that LGBTI persons go through,go under reported resulting to suffering of the victims which normally results to depression,Isolation,stress,paranoia and in extreme cases,suicide.

In the afternoon session of the seminar,participants brainstormed on various recomendations and suggestions on ways of fighting Hate Motivated Violence in Kenya,Such included;

• Striving to reduce internalized homophobia and preventing fights among ourselves.
• Increased public awareness through lectures, discussion forums, media and cooperation with friendly NGO’s.
• Engaging in community volunteer work.
• Participation in Sports, arts and cultural events.
• Strengthening local LGBTI organizations and forming new ones when there are no existing organizations.
• Security training(ways of carrying ourselves to the public), self defense workshops and provision of safe spaces for LGBTI persons.
• Regional and International co-operation through exchange programs.
• Collaboration with Human rights organizations to lobby for removal of oppressive laws; decriminalization of homosexuality.
• Advocating for equal medical service provision to LGBTI persons.
• Sensitization of human rights to authorities and LGBTI persons.
• Working with friendly family members of LGBTI persons.

The findings of the seminar shall be compiled in a comprehensive report that shall be hopefully printed and sent to the relevant human rights bodies.

“The fundamental rights of [humanity] are, first: the right of habitation; second, the right to move freely; third, the right to the soil and subsoil, and to the use of it; fourth, the right of freedom of labor and of exchange; fifth, the right to justice; sixth, the right to live within a natural national organization; and seventh, the right to education.”-Albert Schweitzer.

In Solidarity,

Ken Majangah,

For The Exchange Crew.