Strict draft law in Uganda causes concern among LGBTQI activists

In recent years, LGBTQ people in Uganda and their supporters have started to gain more space. They have felt safe enough to, among other things, organize small pride parades and organize self-help groups, but that space is now in danger of disappearing. A new bill with tougher laws against LGBTQ rights has been passed in parliament and looks set to be approved by President Yoweri Museveni. Photo: Alisdare Hickson. Source: Flickr.

Of: Ellinor Berglund

In late March, Uganda's parliament passed one bill with tougher penalties for LGBTQI people. After the space for LGBTQI people increased under them In recent years, the situation has rapidly worsened and activists are worried about what the future holds if the president chooses to approve the bill. - I felt that my efforts and other LGBTQI people and human rights defenders' efforts went up in flames, says Maltae, program manager at LGTBQI Voices Uganda to Development magazine.

May 5, 2023, Report

What is required for a world where everyone is free to decide about their body and sexuality?

A new UN commission has tried to point out a path towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights. This is written by Hans Linde, union chairman at RFSU and member of the UN commission. Pictured: Demonstration for the right to abortion in Argentina. Photo: ProtoplasmaKid. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Hans Linde

Large parts of the world's population have little opportunity to make decisions about their own body and sexuality, despite the fact that the world's countries have time and again set ambitious goals. It is not difficult to see challenges, while a series of advances show that change is possible. A new UN commission has tried to point out a path towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights. It writes Hans Linde, union chairman at RFSU and member of the UN commission. 

December 21, 2022, Guest chronicle

Week 49: Soccer World Cup and UN meeting on biological diversity sparks debate

Last week, the UN meeting COP15 on biodiversity began in Canada. The meeting contributed to debate about the government's climate policy and about methods to preserve biological diversity. Photo: UN Biodiversity. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt and Sidra Amir

In step with the World Cup finals in football, the discussion on Swedish debate and editorial pages about FIFA's responsibility for Qatar's crimes against human rights has intensified. The UN meeting COP15 in Montréal on biodiversity, where the parties must agree on the global framework for biodiversity, has also spurred this week's climate debate.

December 12, 2022, Current debate

Week 24: Debate on flight and migration on International Refugee Day

Of: The Chancellery

New figures from the UNHCR show that more than 80 million people are currently on the run and that the number has more than doubled in the last ten years. This week, the debate has revolved around several aspects of flight and migration and several debaters believe that the rich countries in the world must take joint responsibility for the situation. Democracy and climate linked to the Chinese regime have also been debated and Swedish companies should stop assisting dictatorships in oppressing LGBTQI people.

June 21, 2021, Current debate

Aid actors have stopped turning a blind eye to trans and intersex issues

A person with eye shadow in the colors of the trans flag. Photo: Kyle, Unsplash

Of: Sofia Karlsson

Trans and intersex groups are particularly vulnerable to abuse, intimidation and discrimination. At the same time, they are underfunded by aid actors globally, despite the fact that the issue has now received more attention and the movement has made great progress. Swedish assistance to trans and intersex organization is a world leader, but many challenges remain.

May 18, 2021, Report

The EU takes up the fight against Poland's LGBTQ-free zones

In 2020, discrimination against LGBTQ people continued to increase in Poland. Photo: Unsplash

Of: Erica Frank

As in many other parts of the world, right-wing populism and discrimination against LGBTQ people have grown in Poland. For the past two years, the Polish government has declared a third of Poland's cities as LGBTQ - free zones. Reports from 2020 describe how the zones can both be seen as examples of how democratic institutions weakened during the pandemic, but also as part of a longer process of democratic degradation.

April 1, 2021, News

Can civil society reclaim space?

But when is disobedience legitimate? How can the conflict between the civil and the state be analyzed? writes Vsevolod Lukashenok. Photo: Takner, Flickr

Of: Vsevolod Lukashenok

Civil society operates in an increasingly shrinking space, state reports from CIVICUS, Forum Syd and Concord. In Russia, Turkey, Israel, Uganda and China, among others, freedom of expression, assembly and organization has been restricted. In order to conduct business in cases where the state monopoly of violence also becomes a monopoly of opinion, activists are forced to use civil disobedience - […]

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March 21, 2019, Chronicle

The LGBTQI movement on the rise in a new India

The Pride Parade in Mumbai 2019

From the Pride Parade on February 2, 2019. The picture shows members of the organization Hamsafar Trust, which is involved in organizing Pride in Mumbai. Photo: Sofia Brännström and Isabell Carlsson

Of: Isabell Carlsson and Sofia Brännstrom

Thousands of people attended this year's Pride Parade in Mumbai, India. In the autumn, it became legal to have same-sex sex - a great victory for the LGBTQI movement. But there is still a lot to do to achieve a tolerant India, the pride participants say. The rainbow flag flutters proudly in the air and adorns make-up faces and placards. Around the parade are police […]

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March 5, 2019, FUF-correspondents

March for women's rights and health!

Of: Kristina Ljungros and Maria Andersson

Donald Trump's administration risks a severe blow to women's rights and health, even far beyond the borders of the United States. In a situation where the United States may withdraw assistance in efforts related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, it is all the more important that other countries intensify their work in this area. That is why we are demonstrating tomorrow in solidarity with the Women's March on Washington, write Kristina Ljungros and Maria Andersson from RFSU.

January 20, 2017, Debate