LGBTQ Activists Renew Calls To Scrap Law That Criminalizes Gay Relations

Kenya is a signatory to the charter, which outlaws discrimination against anyone based on race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or another opinion

Carlos McKnight, from Washington, D.C., waves a rainbow colored flag outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Friday, June 26, 2015. The high court will decide by the end of the month whether the Constitution gives gays the right to marry. The court's actions until now have suggested that a majority of the nine justices will vote to legalize same-sex weddings nationwide. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Carlos McKnight

A Pan-African human rights organization has urged Kenya and other African countries to pass legislation outlawing violence against LGBTQ people.

According to the Akina Mama Wa Afrika organization, persons who identify as Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender, Intersex, or Queers are not completely protected by the law.

“Our petition is to defend the sanctity of human life without discrimination in accordance with African Charter Article 2,” they stated.

Kenya is a signatory to the charter, which outlaws discrimination against anyone based on race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or another opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth, or any other position.

“We also urge every African state to establish and effectively enforce relevant laws preventing and penalizing all types of violence, including those targeting individuals based on their imputed or genuine sexual orientation and gender identities,” they stated.

They said that this is in compliance with Article 3 of the African Charter, which guarantees equal protection under the law.

The organization published a statement on Monday in response to the death of Edwin Kiprotich Kiptoo aka Chiloba, an LGBTQ activist and fashion star, last week.

“We condemn the growing incidence of violence and other human rights violations, such as murder, rape, assault, arbitrary imprisonment, and other forms of persecution of people based on their imputed or real sexual orientation or gender identity,” they said.

They stated that they are looking forward to the start of a transparent and thorough inquiry into Chiloba’s murder and the administration of justice.

“We also demand the introduction of judicial procedures that are sympathetic to the interests of victims,” they stated.

They reminded the state that the ultimate measure of a society’s commitment to equality and human rights is not the protection of its majority and mainstream citizens.

“It is judged by how far it goes to protect the lives and rights of individuals who are seen to be or are different from the majority,” they explained.