The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) finds that the U.S. State Department’s annual report on human rights released today has more fully documented violations against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and people with HIV/AIDS than in previous years. The report, entitled "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices," is submitted to the U.S. Congress each year. Not only the number of human rights issues addressed, but also the variety of countries for which LGBT issues were cited is more comprehensive than ever before.

“We are thrilled that dedicated personnel within the State Department have ensured that the violations that occur against LGBT people are not ignored,” stated Paula Ettelbrick, executive director of IGLHRC. “For some activists, this visibility this report gives to LGBT experience can be used to challenge their government inaction and build awareness that human rights violations against LGBT people are unacceptable. State Department officials who have worked to include documentation of human rights violations against LGBT people are to be commended, as are the many global activists who brought these violations to light.”

The report is a widely circulated document—available on the State Department website at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005—and can give visibility to specific incidents of human rights violations. IGLHRC is working with and supporting local human rights and LGBT groups in many of the countries cited. Several of the cases cited in the report are those in which IGLHRC has been playing a significant role in addressing. A sample of the regions and countries with specific text, includes, among others, the following:

Cameroon

“On May 22, gendarmes of the Nlongkak brigade in Yaounde arrested 17 suspected homosexuals; 5 of them were released shortly after their arrest for lack of evidence. According to the prosecutor, in June the remaining 12 were formally charged and put under detention at the Yaounde Kondengui Prison, pending their trial. According to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission the government ordered a "medical examination" to determine whether the men had engaged in homosexual conduct. There was no additional information on this case at year's end.”

The State Department has also said it will be sending an observer to the trial next week of nine of these men who have been held in jail over nine months.

Nigeria

“Homosexuality is illegal under federal law; homosexual practices are punishable by prison sentences of up to 14 years…. There was widespread discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS, which the public considered a result of immoral behavior. Persons living with HIV/AIDS often lost their jobs or were denied health care services.”

It is important to note that a bill is being proposed in Nigeria that would make same-sex marriages as well as any form of protest for gay rights punishable by five years in prison. The State Department did issue a statement on February 1, 2006 that stated,

“The United States is concerned by reports of legislation in Nigeria that would restrict or prohibit citizens from assembling, organizing, holding events or rallies, and participating in ceremonies of religious union, based upon sexual orientation and gender identity. This proposed legislation has not been adopted. The freedoms of speech, association, expression, assembly, and religion are long-standing international commitments and are universally recognized. Nigeria, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has assumed important obligations on these matters. We expect the Government of Nigeria to act in a manner consistent with those obligations. ”

Zimbabwe

“Over a period of years, President Mugabe has publicly denounced homosexuals, blaming them for "Africa's ills.”… On August 5, unidentified men approached the Gays and Lesbians Association (GALZ) exhibit at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair and stated that GALZ was not allowed to be there. They then entered the book fair offices where they threatened staff. Subsequently, they returned to the GALZ stand and seized GALZ literature. GALZ members sought assistance from police officers and security guards patrolling the gardens, but they refused to intervene. … GALZ staff reported that they believed the government had sent the group. No subsequent action was taken against those who threatened the GALZ members.”

Jamaica

“On November 30, Lenford "Steve" Harvey, who operated Jamaican AIDS Support for Life, was killed on the eve of World AIDS Day…. At year's end the police had a number of suspects under investigation…. The JCF appointed political ombudsman Bishop Herro Blair as an independent civilian monitor to oversee the investigation….

In June 2004 Brian Williamson, a prominent homosexual rights activist and founding member of J-FLAG, was found stabbed to death at his home in Kingston. Human rights groups believed that the brutality of Williamson's death indicated a hate crime, but the JCF maintained that the crime was a robbery. A suspect remained in custody at year's end awaiting trial.”

Brazil

“In some cases, sexual orientation or gender identity might have played a role in cases of torture and cruel treatment. NGOs confirmed that police committed abuse and extortion directed against transvestite prostitutes in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Salvador. There was a history of societal violence against homosexuals. State and federal laws prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, and the federal and state governments generally enforced these laws. The Bahian Gay Group reported that 63 homosexuals were killed between January and July, compared with 158 for all of 2004. The Secretariat of State Security in Rio de Janeiro State in partnership with NGOs, operated a hot line and offered professional counseling services to victims of antihomosexual crimes.”

Mexico

“While homosexuals experienced a growing social acceptance, the National Center to Prevent and Control HIV/AIDS (CONASIDA) stated that discrimination persisted. Homophobic beliefs and practices were common, reflected principally in entertainment media programs and everyday attitudes. Reports of attacks against homosexuals and transsexuals were frequent.”

Poland

“Right-wing groups attempted on several occasions to disrupt gay pride marches. In May the mayor of Warsaw, Lech Kaczynski, denied approval of a gay rights parade organized by the Equality Foundation, a consortium of gay-rights groups, stating that he would not allow the promotion of gay culture. Despite the denial, on June 11, gay rights activists held a peaceful equality parade during which they complained about the discrimination they experienced in their everyday lives. Marchers were assaulted with objects such as rocks thrown by antigay demonstrators led by the ultraconservative All Poland's Youth League.”

United Arab Emirates

“Although both civil law and Shari'a criminalize homosexual activity, in general, reports of discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation were not widespread. However, on November 23, Abu Dhabi Police arrested 26 allegedly homosexual men--UAE nationals, Arabs, and Asians--who had gathered at an Abu Dhabi hotel for a party. Government officials reportedly said that the men were transferred to the ministry's Social Support Center and would "be given the necessary treatment, from male hormone injections to psychological therapies" after their trial. The Ministry of Interior later disavowed this statement. At year's end the case was not yet resolved.”

Nepal

“The country does not have any laws that specifically criminalize homosexuality; however, government authorities, especially police, sometimes harassed and abused homosexuals. For example, on April 13, police attacked 18 metis (a traditional term for males who dress and identify as women) who were walking toward a festival in Kathmandu, according to the Blue Diamond Society, a Nepali NGO that works to protect against discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered communities.”

“We commend the human rights activists who are working every day in their countries to document human rights violations and bring them to the attention of local and national governments and the international community,” stated Paula Ettelbrick. “By using these local reports to include the lives of LGBT individual in their annual report on human rights, the U.S. State Department is making progress in the right direction and we look forward to even more comprehensive documentation next year.”