FREE NANTALE PROSSCOVIA

Stop the Deportation of Ugandan Lesbian Nantale Prosscovia.

Nantale Prosscovia, a Ugandan lesbian held in a Swedish prison is facing deportation back to the life-threatening situation she fled 6 years ago. We demand that the Swedish government sets her free and grants her asylum NOW.

Nantale left Uganda after the local authorities caught her in a sexual act with another woman. She was publicly ‘outed’ as a lesbian and her business was destroyed by an anti-gay mob as a warning to ‘quit her behaviour or die’. The police would not protect Nantale. With her mother’s help she managed to leave the country literally for her own safety, and for the safety of her family who would be at risk if they defended her.

In August 2007 she went to Sweden and applied for asylum on the basis of her sexuality, however this was refused: when Nantale left Uganda the situation for lesbians and gay men was getting worse, but this was not that well known internationally. The Swedish government did not see anti-gay persecution as a reason to give her protection.

Nantale’s sexuality is well known in Uganda, as well as in Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands and other countries. She is being held in Hinseberg Prison in Frovi awaiting deportation. If she is deported she faces imprisonment and torture solely because of her sexual orientation, in the country which criminalises homosexuality.

Sweden’s minister for international development, Gunilla Carlssen, has said that the Swedish government would consider cutting its $50million annual aid to Uganda if its government doesn’t reverse its “appalling” anti-gay policy. It is sheer hypocrisy to stop aid to Uganda while sending human beings back there to suffer persecution. Nantale deserves to be able to live freely as who she is. The best and easiest way for the Swedish Government to demonstrate its commitment to LGBT rights is to release Nantale from prison and give her immediate Asylum.