Welcome to our project newsletter!

Human rights violations targeted toward anyone because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity constitute a serious concern globally. These violations include ill-treatment, sexual assault and rape, invasions of privacy, arbitrary detention, denial of employment and education opportunities, and serious discrimination in relation to the enjoyment of other human rights. These violations are often compounded by other forms of transgressions eg violence, hatred, discrimination and exclusion, such as those based on age, religion, economic, social or other status.

Every victim of a human rights violation, including violations based on sexual orientation or gender identity, has the right to effective, adequate and appropriate remedies. Measures taken for the purpose of securing adequate advancement of the rights of persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are integral to the right to effective remedies and redress.

The emergence of covid-19 pandemic has presented the past two years with extraordinary challenges. The pandemic’s impacts have exposed and exaggerated existing violence and discrimination targeted towards the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) communities in Kenya.

The Centre for Minority Rights and Strategic Litigation (CMRSL) has been committed to improving access to Justice for persons of the LGBTIQ+ communities through various interventions, supported by the Canadian Government through its Canadian Funds for Local Initiatives (CFLI). The past two years have been of reflection, growth and change and has inspired everyone at CMRSL to challenge themselves individually and organizationally in advocating for human rights as well as making legal services available to the LGBTIQ community.

Here is a read on the project.

Enjoy!