South Africa: Lesbians Targeted for Murder
A Climate of Violent Homophobia Mars South Africa's Celebration of Women's Day

The recent brutal murders of three lesbians show that South Africa's constitutional promise of equal protection has yet to become a reality, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to President Thabo Mbeki. As the country celebrates National Women's Day – the 51st anniversary of women's resistance to the apartheid-era pass system restricting free movement – a climate of violent homophobia and sexism demands government action to make its commitment to equality and tolerance a reality for the nation's gays and lesbians.

Press Release: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/08/safric16617.htm

Letter: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/08/safric16618.htm