Today we started our volunteer work with our organizations. At the end of the day, we debriefed on how our first day went and I'm still bothered by what Valerie learned.
Valerie and some others are volunteering with HOCA, a group that advocates for the protection of homosexuals' rights. They're technically unofficial because they haven't gone through the arduous process of getting governmental recognition. So the organization is very underground, even though they are trying hard to increase their visibility.
For the record and to give you some context for this issue, an overwhelming majority of Rwandans are Christian. There is no law against homosexuality, but there is a bill in progress to criminalize it. Homosexuality is very much a taboo and people are hush hush about it (except in safe spaces like our delegation). People who oppose homosexuality are open to say that homosexuals will go to hell. When I met with one of the Human Rights Commissioners today, she said that the country supports the protection of human rights for all, but that is directly contradicted by the way Rwandans treat homosexuals and the pending legislation. She also said that the commission hasn't dealt with human rights issues regarding homosexuality because "no cases have been presented before them, and no organizations exist right now." Um, okay.
Valerie told me about some of the stories she heard from some of the members. One lesbian couple told her about being beat up at a bar and kicked out of it. The people who beat them told them that they would continue to harass them. A Muslim radio show allowed people to come on their air and announce the name, address, and description of lesbians/gays followed by a call to watch out for them.
SERIOUSLY?! I was blown away by this. Absolutely blown away.
Recall that hate speech on the radio was a MAJOR INSTRUMENT of starting and facilitating the genocide. And now homosexuals are becoming targets. It's like the 60s and 70s in the U.S.
I understand the mindset these people have. Homosexuality is disturbing to many. Many people are against it because of their religion. I actually conducted research on the attitudes towards homosexuality presented in the Old Testament vs. New Testament vs. the Qur'an that had different conclusions than the ones most people come to with their readings. But that's besides the point of this entry. I understand where people come from with their discomfort and homophobia.
HOWEVER, fearing/disliking a group of people in no way justifies violating their fundamental human rights. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. Everyone deserves to be able to express themselves and be vocal about their sexuality without fearing harm or danger. Everyone deserves to express themselves if they are against homosexuality, but NOT when that expression infringes upon the rights of homosexuals.
Even members of our delegation are opposed to homosexual rights, or don't think it's important enough to advocate for. It's interesting that this indifference and hostility exists among even the most educated and progressive members of Rwandan society.
It just made me really really sad to hear Valerie's account today. Just so sad. There are so many progressive things that are seemingly happening in Rwanda, but this is just another example of something very wrong.
You don't have to be a liberal to sympathize with what homosexuals have to go through here, in the U.S., and all over the world. Just recognize their humanity and that no one deserves to be treated this way.
We were all so moved by Valerie's account that we've decided to strategize on how HOCA can get their official recognition, and how we can go about reporting the incident at the radio station and the bar. We've decided that Valerie will keep us updated on the progress so that we can all help out in whatever way we can. You don't have to identify with a group in order to empathize with it. Activism requires allies from any and all backgrounds.
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