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jwg calls for action on lesbian murders |
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Last Updated: July 23, 2007 |
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July 20, 2007: A meeting hosted by the Joint Working Group (JWG), a national network of gay organizations in South Africa, on Wednesday 18 July called upon the Minister of Justice Bridgette Mabandla, Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi and the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that the perpetrators who murdered Soweto lesbian women Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Masooa are brought to book through a rigorous and speedy investigation and prosecution process.
Held at Constitution Hill - Women�s Gaol, the meeting was attended by a range of organizations and individuals with the purpose of coordinating various initiatives in response to the recent murders.
The meeting expressed its outrage and shock at what �we believe to be a hate crime� against lesbian women. �This is part of a broader trend of victimization against women, people living with HIV/AIDS, lesbian and gay people and other marginalized individuals� the JWG said in a statement.
A plan of immediate action, to ensure that the murders are responded to with the priority they deserve, was developed at the meeting and different organisations committed themselves to mobilizing persons, constituencies and resources.
Furthermore, organizations called upon political, community, faith-based and other leaders to break the silence and take an active and visible stance against this horrendous crime, and against all forms of prejudice-motivated crimes in South Africa.
Organisations involved are:
AIDS Consortium
Behind the Mask
Centre for Applied Legal Studies
Coalition of African Lesbians
Forum for the Empowerment of Women
Gay and Lesbian Memories in Action
Gender AIDS Forum
Joint Working Group
Lesbian and Gay Equality Project
OUT LGBT Well-being
Positive Women�s Network
People Opposing Women Abuse
Synergos
Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Thuli Madi: +27 73 2279635
Prudence Mabele: +27 78 3839529
Rhulani Lehloka: +27 83 2648201
Emily Craven: +27 78 1357535
Melanie Judge: +27 832712543
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