25 November Update: The women have now been released from custody but we are supporting one of our sisters to get treatment for her injuries. Injuries that UNHCR deny happen. Please see below and help in any way you can.

Yesterday, on the morning of 23 November 2022, our lesbian sisters held in Kakuma refugee camp went to the UNHCR compound to ask for protection. They along with other LGB&T refugees have been facing increasing attacks from other refugees and Turkana nationals and they wanted the UNHCR to take action against this abuse.

No one came to hear their complaints, no one listened to the issues they are facing, Instead, they were driven away, attacked, beaten, and tear gas was used against them. Several have been arrested. and we have heard from our sisters held in police cells, that they have been denied medical attention and that some have been separated from their children.

They just wanted to ask for help and protection – but this is the response from UNHCR and the police. The homophobia is deafening and we will not remain silent. What are other UNHCR officials doing to uphold their mandate to protect refugees?

This may sound familiar, and sadly it is. When we first started working with the women in Kakuma it was following an attack in 2020 when they again went to the UNHCR compound to ask for help. They were chased back to camp, beaten, and tear gas was used against them. You may remember Reginah’s baby Patricia was hit by a tear gas canister and died in September of that year, having never fully recovered, she was five-months-old when we lost her.

Yesterday, Reginah was back supporting her fellow lesbians, one of whom is sick, having been beaten and kicked in the stomach. Reginah, as a nurse, has advocated for some food and drink for her and is trying to get medical attention. It’s awful to imagine the memories it must be bringing up for her.

As the world is about to commemorate the UN day to End Violence Against Women (25th November), our sisters are again being attacked by the authorities paid to protect them. Punished for asking for help. Enough is Enough, UNHCR must be held accountable.

We need to stand together and show solidarity with our sisters. No space for Lesbophobia, No space for sexism. 

Contact UNHCR and demand our sisters are freed:

@UNHCR_Kenya           @RefugeesMedia          @nickherbtcbe

@Refugees                   @UNHCRUK                  @FCDOGovUk

Please copy us in if you do @FiLiA_charity and use the hashtags: #FreeBlock13 #SisterhoodAndSolidarity #IDEVAW22  #EnoughisEnough

Find out more about our campaign here:

Support the Kakuma Campaign — FiLiA

If you are able to donate to support our sisters you can do so here. They may need legal representation, medical care, food & drink.