Summary:
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The violent murder of a Kenyan named Edwin Chiloba was reported to the African Commission by several sources.
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The African Commission found out that Chiloba was also a well-known designer and model, as well as an activist for LGBT rights.
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The African Commission also says again that it stands by the idea that all human life is sacred.
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The African Commission would like to remind the Republic of Kenya and other States parties to the African Charter that a society’s commitment to equality and human rights shouldn’t be judged by how well it protects the majority and mainstream members of the community, but by how well it protects the lives and freedoms of those who are seen as different from or are different from the mainstream.
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To ensure that everyone vulnerable in society, including people who are or are thought to be different from the rest of the community, such as because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can live a life free from discrimination.
Through Kenya’s country rapporteur, Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has learned of a horrific murder that has the hallmarks of someone being killed only because of who they are.
The violent murder of a Kenyan named Edwin Chiloba was reported to the African Commission by several sources. This tragic killing, which appears to have been motivated by hate, highlights the severe danger that results when society allows attacks on individuals based solely on who they are.
The African Commission found out that Chiloba was also a well-known designer and model, as well as an activist for LGBT rights. In its Resolution 275, the African Commission called murder, rape, assault, arbitrary detention, and other forms of persecution of people based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity to be against the fundamental principles of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter).
The African Commission denounces Edwin Chiloba’s brutal murder in the strongest terms possible. It again says what Resolution 275 said: everyone has the right to protect their lives and the integrity of their bodies, no matter what their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity is, and just because they are humans.
To live up to its responsibilities as a State Party to the African Charter, the African Commission asks the Republic of Kenya to start an immediate, open, and thorough investigation into the tragic death of Edwin Chiloba, bring those responsible to justice, and offer practical solutions, such as paying the families for their losses.
In response to Resolution 275, the African Commission says again that attacks or violence against anyone because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity are not acceptable. The African Commission also says again that it stands by the idea that all human life is sacred.
The African Commission would like to remind the Republic of Kenya and other States parties to the African Charter that a society’s commitment to equality and human rights shouldn’t be judged by how well it protects the majority and mainstream members of the community, but by how well it protects the lives and freedoms of those who are seen as different from or are different from the mainstream.
So, in Article 1 of the African Charter, the African Commission asks the Republic of Kenya and another member state to adopt laws or other measures (institutional, administrative, policy, public awareness, etc.) to make sure that all vulnerable members of society, including those who are or are seen to be different from the rest of the community, including because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are guaranteed to live a life free from discrimination.
The African Commission sent this out on human and people’s rights through the APO Group.
APO has issued this press release. The editorial team of AUN News does not monitor the content, and none of the content has been checked or validated by our editors, proofreaders, or fact-checkers. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network
