The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) and Amnesty International have published a joint report on the experiences of LGBTI refugees living in Kakuma, Kenya. They call this an extremely dangerous situation of hate crimes, discrimination and other human rights violations.

The findings of the report show that "LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees in Kenya face intersectional discrimination and violence based on their identity as asylum seekers or refugees and their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). They experience discriminatory practices and homophobic and transphobic attitudes from government officials, the police and other service providers, in a social climate characterised by prejudice and discrimination."

It includes testimonials from many LGBTI people living in the camp.  Esther and Winnie, two lesbians living in Kakuma and Sharon, a transgender woman, who have bravely shared their stories of discrimination and violence, among many others.

The report describes hate crimes occurring at an 'alarming rate'.

Circumstances covered include:

* Threat of the camp closures and lack of durable solutions

* The management of the camp

* Kenyan refugees legislation

* Registration issues

* Delayed refugee status determination and its consequences

* Consequences of the 2021 Refugees Act

* Violent attacks, threats and intimidation

* Impunity for perpetrators of hate crimes

* Intimidation of Human Rights Defenders

* Pervasive Discrimination and Abuses in the Camp

* Dangerous Camp, Dangerous Self-Protection Strategies

* Temporary Relocation to Nairobi

* Obstacles to Resettlement

* National and International Legal Framework

Read the blog post here from Amnesty International, Kenya and click here to read the full report.