Dear Mary,

Greetings from South Africa. It has been a long, long time since we last spoke or met. I trust that you are well.

Mary, I am writing to you regarding the application of the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), who applied for observer status at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

CAL is a network of organisations who are committed to addressing the human rights of lesbians on the African continent. They are striving for the visibility and equality of lesbians using the human rights framework and all its provisions.
We have seen a significant rise in the abuse of lesbians across our continent and as human rights advocates are deeply disturbed by these violations.

We believe that CAL has made this application for observer status to the ACHPR in order to provide that body with much needed information about the human rights violations that threaten the lives of lesbians across the African continent and to enable the ACHPR to insist on state accountability with respect to all its citizens, including lesbians.

We find it reprehensible that CAL's application was rejected, considering that they meet all the criteria set out for groups to obtain observer status and that they represent a minority group whose vulnerability to human rights abuse is well documented.

I would like to urge you, Mary, to assist CAL to obtain observer status at the ACHPR and to consider this a priority of the human rights community on our continent.

I trust that you will give this your urgent attention. I remember the amazing work you did to bring the world's attention to the human rights abuses in your own country.

With kind regards,
Dr. Lesley Ann Foster
Masimanyane Women's Support Centre
35 St Marks Road
Southernwood
East London 5201

P.O. Box 565
East London 5200
South Africa.
Telephone: +27 (0) 43 7439169
Fax: : +27 (0) 43 7439176
Email : [email][email protected]
Website : [email protected] or comment online at Pambazuka News.