MEXICO CITY: PROTEST ARBITRARY ARRESTS OF YOUNG GAY MEN IN ZONA ROSA, CUAUHTEMOC DISTRICT
RIGHT TO LIBERTY AND SECURITY OF PERSON
RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ARBITRARY ARREST
RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION
RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

SUMMARY

A group of seven young gay male students were arrested on July 20, 2004, in Zona Rosa, Cuauhtemoc District, Mexico City, and charged with engaging in sex work. Police had no evidence that they were sex workers, and they had not made any attempt to collect such evidence. Three of the men were required to pay fines in order to be released and four others spent 13 hours in custody. According to a policewoman, the police targeted the friends because two of men were holding hands. Similar incidents have occurred in recent months, in flagrant violation of the country’s very progressive Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination (that includes sexual preferences and their expression in public)


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GAYS AND LESBIANS OF ZIMBABWE'S STATEMENT CONCERNING HOMOPHOBIC ATTACK IN HARARE

Date : August 16, 2004
Africa » Zimbabwe » For Your Information

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has been monitoring the recent rise of homophobic attacks in Zimbabwe. On August 2nd, members of the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) were forced to flee from an international book fair held in Harare when an angry mob attacked them. Several of the group were physically injured. Just in March, Zimbabwe's president, Robert Mugabe, celebrating his 80th birthday, said "I'm morally repulsed by homosexuality." Mugabe has a long history of homophobic attacks in the country, and has stated that he considers gays men and lesbians "worse than pigs and dogs." On several occasions has ordered police to round up and jail gays and lesbians.

Below you will find a statement released by Keith Goddard of GALZ.

Statement from the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
Dated Wednesday 4th August 2004

Regarding an incident at ZIBF on Monday 2nd August 2004

In August 1996, the Supreme Court confirmed the right of GALZ to participate at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair. Between 1997 and 2002, the association exhibited by placing its information on the Book Fair Human Rights Stand. In 2003, GALZ applied to participate in its own right and, quite correctly, the application was treated exactly like that of any other exhibitor. At last year’s event there were no incidents of violence. GALZ applied again this year and was accepted.

On Monday afternoon, a GALZ member at the GALZ stand was gratuitously attacked by a member of the public. Although minor, the incident was reported to the police who acted in a professional manner and arrested the culprit. The GALZ member decided not to press charges. The incident was also brought to the attention of the Book Fair Administration Clerk who expressed satisfaction at the way the police had handled the matter.

GALZ does not condone violence and we are not a threat. Those who cause violence are a threat to public safety and security and we ask that they stay away from our stand.

Keith Goddard
- Director, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)