LGBT refugees protest Kenya arrests and jail time

Colin Stewart is a 45-year journalism veteran living in Southern…

LGBT refugee activists gathered outside a Nairobi courtroom today to protest the mistreatment of 20 LGBT refugees who were arrested at an earlier protest and have been in jail since then.

From the African Human Rights Media Network

LGBT refugees protest in Nairobi, Kenya. At the right is Mbazira Moses, executive director of Rainbow Flag Kenya. (Photo courtesy of Facebook) — LGBT refugees protest today in Nairobi, Kenya. At the right is Mbazira Moses, executive director of Rainbow Flag Kenya. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)

The group said officials compelled today’s protesters to stay in a small space near the court; they would be arrested if they moved elsewhere.

On Feb. 22, the jailed refugees were charged with public nuisance, trespassing, and defecating in public during a protest against how they were being treated by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Each would need to pay a $50 bond to be released pending trial, according to the LGBT advocacy group Refugee Flag Kenya.

The advocacy group said its members have been abused and its executive director, Mbazira Moses, has been “abused and beaten, almost to death.” ‘

“We are all angry,” a spokeman said. “We are left with nothing.”