By: Josia Shigwedha 

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other (LGBTQI+) activist Linda Baumann, says the lives of the community are under threat because the justice system does not recognise them or cases. Baumann comments come after  (LGBTIQ+) community members have been murdered in hate crimes in the past few years. In a recent killing, the lifeless body of a young man was discovered in a riverbed next to a high school in 7 de Laan, Windhoek on Thursday. The 30-year-old man who was a member of the LGBTQI+ community has been identified as Christof Frederik, whose body had multiple stab wounds and his private part cut off and placed on his chest.   

Human rights, gender and communications activist Linda Baumann pointed out the lack of political leadership committed to upholding human rights principles, leaving the LGBTQI+ community vulnerable and unprotected. “We are finding ourselves as a community in a stage where our lives are at threat. You cannot even walk around today people are looking at you for being gay and that says a lot about how our lives can be lost, and also that the justice system itself does not recognise any of our cases when it comes forth. It comes forth but never relate it as an LGBTQI+ killing.

Its straight forward crime. It’s an assault and so forth so I think Namibia I want to say that we do not have a political leadership who are able to uphold the principles of human rights.” stated Baumann. In addition, social, gender equality and human activist Rosa Namises joined the call to end violence against LGBTQI+ members, emphasising the need for societal awareness and accountability, particularly among men.

“Stop the violence against especially the LGBTQI+ people and also the women and children. It is not a good way of solving, and I think it is time for our men to start to learn who you are dating, what is my interest, what is my life? Who am I that you want to go out with, and not take me for a night trip.” said Namises.

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