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<TITLE>PROTEST TOMORROW in NYC and Ugandan embassies re arrest of HIV and LGBT human rights defenders</TITLE>
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**please forward and forgive cross postings**<BR>
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URGENT ACTION ALERT:<BR>
Join us in protest TOMORROW July 24 at 9:00 AM at Uganda House in New <BR>
York City<BR>
<BR>
Ugandan HIV and Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Human Rights <BR>
Defenders Facing Possible Jail Time for Highlighting HIV Prevention <BR>
Needs of Sexual Minorities in Uganda<BR>
<BR>
**New hearing date set for three activists: July 25 in Kampala**<BR>
<BR>
Dear friends,<BR>
<BR>
The three human rights defenders who were arrested during a protest<BR>
calling on the government of Uganda to invest in the HIV prevention<BR>
needs of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Communities are facing<BR>
arraignment on July 25. They are asking for our support and solidarity.<BR>
<BR>
Please join us at a protest TOMORROW July 24 at the Uganda House in <BR>
New York City at 9:00 AM, 336 East 45th St., between 1st and 2nd Aves.<BR>
<BR>
In addition, please take action by contacting the Ugandan officials <BR>
listed on this action alert (below).<BR>
<BR>
This protest is co sponsored by Health GAP, African Services <BR>
Committee, New York City AIDS Housing Network,<BR>
Human Rights Watch, and IGLHRC (International Gay and Lesbian Human <BR>
Rights Commission)<BR>
<BR>
Please contact Amanda Lugg of Health GAP and African Services <BR>
Committee with questions: amandal@africanservices.org <a href="mailto:amandal%40africanservices.org"><mailto:amandal%40africanservices.org></a> <BR>
<BR>
We are also reaching out to government officials in the US, the <BR>
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, France and Spain to request that they <BR>
lobby for these bogus charges to be dropped immediately and for Uganda <BR>
to support effective HIV prevention for gay Ugandans.<BR>
<BR>
Thanks<BR>
<BR>
Asia<BR>
<BR>
--<BR>
Asia Russell<BR>
Health GAP (Global Access Project)<BR>
email: asia@healthgap.org <a href="mailto:asia%40healthgap.org"><mailto:asia%40healthgap.org></a> <BR>
tel: +1 267 475-2645<BR>
<a href="http://www.healthgap.org">http://www.healthgap.org</a><BR>
<BR>
************************************<BR>
<BR>
BACKGROUND: On June 4, three Ugandan HIV and LGBT human rights<BR>
defenders were arrested after a protest during the HIV/AIDS<BR>
Implementer's Meeting in Kampala. According to a statement released by<BR>
GNP+ (Global Network of People Living with HIV): "The activists<BR>
carried placards with messages such as 'Gay Ugandans also need HIV<BR>
prevention,' bringing to attention the greater need to address the<BR>
issues faced by men who have sex with men and sexual minorities in<BR>
planning and delivering of HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment care and<BR>
support programmes. During the brief and peaceful protest the<BR>
activists also distributed copies of a document outlining the<BR>
programmes that could serve this key population and the estimated<BR>
resources that will be needed."<BR>
<BR>
The activists were also protesting the recent statements by a Ugandan<BR>
government official that no funds would be directed toward HIV<BR>
programs targeting men who have sex with men. Specifically on May 2,<BR>
Kihumuro Apuuli, Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission,<BR>
stated that, "gays are one of the drivers of HIV in Uganda, but<BR>
because of meagre resources we cannot direct our programmes at them at<BR>
this time." The activists (Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende and<BR>
Usaam Mukwaya) were arrested for trespassing, and were jailed for two<BR>
days at the Jinja Road Police Station. Criminal Trespassing is a<BR>
charge that carries a one year jail term according to section 302 of<BR>
the Penal Code of Uganda.<BR>
<BR>
According to a statement released by IGLHRC (International Gay and<BR>
Lesbian Human Rights Commission): "twenty-six years since the<BR>
beginning of the epidemic, Uganda hasn't implemented a single program<BR>
to prevent transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men in the<BR>
East African nation." A recent report by the University of Nairobi and<BR>
the Population Council showed that men who have sex with men in<BR>
neighboring Kenya have a sero prevalence rate of 26%.<BR>
<BR>
TAKE ACTION NOW: The activists will be arraigned July 25th, 2008. We<BR>
strongly urge organizations and individuals to take action in the<BR>
following ways to ensure that the charges are dropped immediately:<BR>
<BR>
--Join us for 30 minutes at an important protest TOMORROW July 24 at<BR>
9:00 AM at the Ugandan UN Mission: Uganda House in New York City at<BR>
9:00 AM, 336 East 45th St. This protest is co sponsored by Health GAP,<BR>
African Services Committee, New York City AIDS Housing Network, Human <BR>
Rights Watch, and IGLHRC (International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights <BR>
Commission)<BR>
<BR>
--Meet with officials from the Ugandan Embassy in your country and<BR>
urge them to send a message to the Ugandan government that the charges<BR>
against the activists immediately be dropped, and that Uganda fund HIV<BR>
programs for sexual minorities. Likewise, request that your county's<BR>
diplomatic representatives in Uganda communicate the same message to<BR>
the Ugandan government.<BR>
<BR>
For a list of Ugandan Embassies, see <a href="http://ug.embassyinformation.com/?einfo">http://ug.embassyinformation.com/?einfo</a><BR>
<BR>
--Write letters to the Attorney General of Uganda, and Director of<BR>
Public Prosecutions, Uganda requesting for the charges to be dropped<BR>
unconditionally, as soon as possible. Please send email, fax and/or<BR>
call the officials below:<BR>
<BR>
Hon. Dr. Edward Kiddu Makubuya<BR>
Attorney General<BR>
Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs & Attorney General<BR>
Tel: +256-414-230-538<BR>
Fax: +256-414-254-829<BR>
Email: mojca@africaonline.co.ug <a href="mailto:mojca%40africaonline.co.ug"><mailto:mojca%40africaonline.co.ug></a> <BR>
<BR>
Mr. Richard Buteera<BR>
Director of Public Prosecutions<BR>
Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs & the Attorney General<BR>
Tel: +256-414-332-502/332-504<BR>
Fax: +256-414-258-565/341-316<BR>
Email: admin@dpp.go.ug <a href="mailto:admin%40dpp.go.ug"><mailto:admin%40dpp.go.ug></a> <BR>
<BR>
--If you are in Uganda, please show your support by attending the <BR>
hearing on July 25.<BR>
<BR>
--<BR>
Asia Russell<BR>
Health GAP (Global Access Project)<BR>
email: asia@healthgap.org <a href="mailto:asia%40healthgap.org"><mailto:asia%40healthgap.org></a> <BR>
tel: +1 267 475-2645<BR>
<a href="http://www.healthgap.org">http://www.healthgap.org</a><BR>
<BR>
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