Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 09/2014

The Road to Safety: Strengthening Protection for LGBTI Refugees in Uganda and Kenya

May 2012

Human Rights First

Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) refugees are often among the most vulnerable and isolated of refugees. This is especially true in places where they are at heightened risk due to violent attacks, discrimination, and laws that criminalize same-sex relations. In addition, in many countries around the world, LGBTI refugees are targets of bias-motivated attacks and sexual and gender-based violence. Around seventy-six countries criminalize consensual same-sex conduct.