PHA-Exch> PROTEST TOMORROW in NYC and Ugandan embassies re arrest of HIV and LGBT human rights defenders

[Laura Turiano]

**please forward and forgive cross postings**

URGENT ACTION ALERT:
Join us in protest TOMORROW July 24 at 9:00 AM at Uganda House in New
York City

Ugandan HIV and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Human Rights
Defenders Facing Possible Jail Time for Highlighting HIV Prevention
Needs of Sexual Minorities in Uganda

**New hearing date set for three activists: July 25 in Kampala**

Dear friends,

The three human rights defenders who were arrested during a protest
calling on the government of Uganda to invest in the HIV prevention
needs of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Communities are facing
arraignment on July 25. They are asking for our support and solidarity.

Please join us at a protest TOMORROW July 24 at the Uganda House in
New York City at 9:00 AM, 336 East 45th St., between 1st and 2nd Aves.

In addition, please take action by contacting the Ugandan officials
listed on this action alert (below).

This protest is co sponsored by Health GAP, African Services
Committee, New York City AIDS Housing Network,
Human Rights Watch, and IGLHRC (International Gay and Lesbian Human
Rights Commission)

Please contact Amanda Lugg of Health GAP and African Services
Committee with questions: amandal at africanservices.org
<mailto:amandal%40africanservices.org>

We are also reaching out to government officials in the US, the
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, France and Spain to request that they
lobby for these bogus charges to be dropped immediately and for Uganda
to support effective HIV prevention for gay Ugandans.

Thanks

Asia

--
Asia Russell
Health GAP (Global Access Project)
email: asia at healthgap.org <mailto:asia%40healthgap.org>
tel: +1 267 475-2645
http://www.healthgap.org

************************************

BACKGROUND: On June 4, three Ugandan HIV and LGBT human rights
defenders were arrested after a protest during the HIV/AIDS
Implementer's Meeting in Kampala. According to a statement released by
GNP+ (Global Network of People Living with HIV): "The activists
carried placards with messages such as 'Gay Ugandans also need HIV
prevention,' bringing to attention the greater need to address the
issues faced by men who have sex with men and sexual minorities in
planning and delivering of HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment care and
support programmes. During the brief and peaceful protest the
activists also distributed copies of a document outlining the
programmes that could serve this key population and the estimated
resources that will be needed."

The activists were also protesting the recent statements by a Ugandan
government official that no funds would be directed toward HIV
programs targeting men who have sex with men. Specifically on May 2,
Kihumuro Apuuli, Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission,
stated that, "gays are one of the drivers of HIV in Uganda, but
because of meagre resources we cannot direct our programmes at them at
this time." The activists (Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende and
Usaam Mukwaya) were arrested for trespassing, and were jailed for two
days at the Jinja Road Police Station. Criminal Trespassing is a
charge that carries a one year jail term according to section 302 of
the Penal Code of Uganda.

According to a statement released by IGLHRC (International Gay and
Lesbian Human Rights Commission): "twenty-six years since the
beginning of the epidemic, Uganda hasn't implemented a single program
to prevent transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men in the
East African nation." A recent report by the University of Nairobi and
the Population Council showed that men who have sex with men in
neighboring Kenya have a sero prevalence rate of 26%.

TAKE ACTION NOW: The activists will be arraigned July 25th, 2008. We
strongly urge organizations and individuals to take action in the
following ways to ensure that the charges are dropped immediately:

--Join us for 30 minutes at an important protest TOMORROW July 24 at
9:00 AM at the Ugandan UN Mission: Uganda House in New York City at
9:00 AM, 336 East 45th St. This protest is co sponsored by  Health GAP,
African Services Committee, New York City AIDS Housing Network, Human
Rights Watch, and IGLHRC (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights
Commission)

--Meet with officials from the Ugandan Embassy in your country and
urge them to send a message to the Ugandan government that the charges
against the activists immediately be dropped, and that Uganda fund HIV
programs for sexual minorities. Likewise, request that your county's
diplomatic representatives in Uganda communicate the same message to
the Ugandan government.

For a list of Ugandan Embassies, see http://ug.embassyinformation.com/?einfo

--Write letters to the Attorney General of Uganda, and Director of
Public Prosecutions, Uganda requesting for the charges to be dropped
unconditionally, as soon as possible. Please send email, fax and/or
call the officials below:

Hon. Dr. Edward Kiddu Makubuya
Attorney General
Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs & Attorney General
Tel:  +256-414-230-538
Fax: +256-414-254-829
Email: mojca at africaonline.co.ug <mailto:mojca%40africaonline.co.ug>

Mr. Richard Buteera
Director of Public Prosecutions
Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs & the Attorney General
Tel: +256-414-332-502/332-504
Fax: +256-414-258-565/341-316
Email: admin at dpp.go.ug <mailto:admin%40dpp.go.ug>

--If you are in Uganda, please show your support by attending the
hearing on July 25.

--
Asia Russell
Health GAP (Global Access Project)
email: asia at healthgap.org <mailto:asia%40healthgap.org>
tel: +1 267 475-2645
http://www.healthgap.org

 
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