Human rights defenders can apply for the Front Line Fellowship Program, which offers them an opportunity to take some time out from their normal work. Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders founded in Dublin in 2001 aims to protect human rights defenders at risk. It offers its fellowships to help human rights defenders not only take some time off their work but also work on a project to build their capacities further and contribute to the protection of human rights defenders internationally.

A clearer example of hate speech would be hard to find, writes Chandre Gould, a senior researcher, at the crime and justice programme of the Institute for Security Studies. 'The authors of the report hide behind the worn, thin mantle of tradition and culture to justify their hatred of difference. They claim that homosexuality is "unAfrican" and goes against African tradition. This claim is nonsensical not only because homosexuality is the subject of just as much vitriol and hatred in the Western world as it is in Africa; but also because sexual orientation is not culturally determined.'

The African Commission on Human and People's Rights denied observer status to the Coalition of African lesbians. Their reason as set out in the report to the AU is that the organisation does not seek to protect rights guaranteed under the charter.

This is not true. CAL works to protect the human rights of human beings. The charter confers the rights to all human beings.

A special issue of Pambazuka News focusing on the implications of the decision on people who are vulnerable to human rights violations of human rights because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity will be published shortly.

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