Giving a voice to African LGBT activists: Alexis Musanganya

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Giving a voice to African LGBT activists: Alexis Musanganya

More : Alexis Musanganya, Arc en ciel d'Afrique, International Human Rights Day, Interview, United Nations

by RG - 2B staff on December 29, 2011

The General Director of Arc-en-ciel d’Afrique, Alexis Musanganya, recently participated in an international conference “Stop Bullying – Ending violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity” hosted by the United Nations on December 8. The conference, which was organised as part of International Human Rights Day (celebrated December 10), allowed the voices of activists to be heard, an issue that remains fundamental, according to Musanganya.

TT. What brought you to the conference?

Since 1997, I have been part of the IGLHRC committee on Africa. This organisation was among the non-governmental organisations that organised the conference. As our mandate is limited to Quebec, we made a point of getting informed about what is going on in Africa, because it has a direct incidence on our population here, but also on those who will use their sexual orientation as grounds for refugee status.

AM. What conclusions were drawn at the conference?

This meeting was first and foremost an opportunity to celebrate human rights, but also to make a statement. Where are we at in terms of LGBT rights and what can international organisations do to advance the cause. Amongst the advances, we evoked the case of Argentina, and of South Africa where, in June, a law-decree was adopted that advances the rights of gays and lesbians. We also wanted to point the finger at those countries that have seen their rights revoked: Nigeria and Uganda. Happily, there is the case of Malawi that is beginning to open its doors to an imminent decriminalisation of homosexuality.

TT. Do you think the actions of the UN are efficient in terms of LGBT rights ?

The UN cannot impose anything and I am in no place to judge the U.N. In the responses that I have received, the representatives of the U.N., among others, Ban Ki Moon himself, still have LGBT rights on their agenda when they meet with Presidents and Ministers of Justice. For example, in Uganda, the [anti-homosexuality] law proposed two years ago has still not yet been voted on. Why the delay? Because the people behind the scenes are talking. The U.N. is doing its job and it always supports those defenders of human rights who are in the countries in question.

AM. Is there not a risk of the opposition hardening their position in those countries where homosexuality is still considered a crime?

It is quite the opposite that we are trying to achieve by giving visibility, by permitting for example the Nigerian spokesperson to explain the situation in his country [since just a few days ago, homosexuality is now punishable by 14 years in prison] and to see what activists in his country need.

The case of Malawi is very interesting. I’ve been reading articles that speak of the willingness to decriminalise homosexuality by citing international pressure, saying that the President was on his knees in front of the United Kingdom. But the media does not speak of civil society! It legitimizes the positions of those countries that say that homosexuality is something that is “outside of” Africa. We show them that they do not have bad intentions, because it is the gays and lesbians in these countries that work tirelessly for equality.

www.arcencieldafrique.org