Joint Working Group Media Release 

23 November 2010

 

South Africa was one of the 79 countries at the United Nations General Assembly who voted in favour of an amendment which removes sexual orientation from an anti-execution resolution. The vast majority of countries who supported the amendment were African and also included Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia and Rwanda.

 

PRESENTED TO THE STATION COMMANDER OF VOSLOORUS POLICE STATION
29th OCTOBER 2010
As members of the Vosloorus community and those involved in work against discrimination, we address you today with serious concerns. Within the last month 12 people were arrested and brought to this station. During their arrest, they were threatened and homophobic comments such as “there are no lesbians in Vosloorus” were made. We are here today to say that there are lesbians in Vosloorus. The abuse of power and the ignorance of the law has not only happened once at this police station. Last year, lesbians were beaten up by police officers and many of us live in fear. We do not believe that the police are there to protect and help us. It is the job of the police to uphold the Constitution. We are here to say that police should be protecting our rights and not discriminating against us.

Click here for Mail and Guardian coverage of the 'Access to Justice' march jointly organised by The Equality Project