Press Releases

House of Representatives Must Pass International Human Rights Defense Act to Fight Discrimination of LGBT People Worldwide

WASHINGTON, DC — Efforts to protect and advance the global rights of LGBT people took a significant step forward today when Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA), along with Congressman Chris Gibson (R-NY) and Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY), introduced the International Human Rights Defense Act. American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and …

Read More

Congress Must Act to End the Global Wave of Violence Against Women and Girls

In wake of kidnapping of Nigerian girls, Jewish human rights organization lauds Senate introduction of International Violence Against Women Act WASHINGTON, DC — Congress must act swiftly to strengthen policies aimed at ending violence against women and girls worldwide, a crisis underlined by the recent kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria. In the …

Read More

Congress Must Follow White House’s Lead and Take Action to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls Worldwide

American Jewish World Service applauds the White House’s guidelines on campus rape, urges Congress to pass International Violence Against Women Act to tackle gender-based violence globally NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, praised the Obama Administration today after the White House released new …

Read More

Ugandan Activists Challenge Constitutionality of Anti-homosexuality Law

Coalition of Ugandan LGBTI organizations and activists file petition challenging the law with the Ugandan Constitutional Court NEW YORK, NY- Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Law, which was signed by President Yoweri Museveni last month, is now being challenged by Ugandan human rights activists and organizations, according to American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development …

Read More

Uganda Anti-LGBT Bill Becomes Law, Violating Rights of LGBT People

NEW YORK, NY-American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, today condemned Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law as a violation of the basic human rights of Uganda’s LGBT people. The Anti-Homosexuality Law contains many harsh and inhumane provisions, including life imprisonment for …

Read More

American Jewish World Service Calls for Recall of U.S. Ambassadors to Uganda and Nigeria

Urges Secretary of State Kerry to reevaluate diplomatic relationships in the wake of escalating human rights concerns, new anti-LGBT laws NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, called on U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry today to recall the country’s ambassadors to Uganda and …

Read More

American Jewish World Service Calls on Obama to use the Full Power of U.S. Diplomacy to Insist That Uganda Reject the Draconian Anti-Homosexuality Bill

NEW YORK, NY – Upon learning of media reports this afternoon that Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has signaled that he may sign the draconian anti-homosexuality bill, Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, released the statement below calling on the U.S. government to act …

Read More

American Jewish World Service Joins with Global Human Rights Activists for a Day of Action Opposing Ugandan Anti-homosexuality Bill

Will urge Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni not to sign the bill into law NEW YORK, NY – American Jewish World Service (AJWS), the leading Jewish international development and human rights organization, joined with human rights activists around the world on Monday, February 10, for a Global Day of Action, urging Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni not …

Read More