[CTC] All hands on deck: a protest in support of LGBTQI+ rights in Kenya for Friday, October 6

[Arthur Stamoulis]

Ignoring calls from LGBT groups and the Equality Caucus to pause negotiations, the Kenya STIP negotiations will continue this week (with less than 24 hrs public notice and no apparent stakeholder process).  If you’re able to attend a quick demonstration outside the USTR office in DC on Friday, please fill out the form in threat below.  Thank you! —Arthur



> Begin forwarded message:
> 
> From: Aly Bancroft <aly at healthgap.org>
> Subject: All hands on deck: a protest in support of LGBTQI+ rights in Kenya for Friday, October 6
> Date: October 3, 2023 at 6:20:35 PM EDT
> To: undisclosed-recipients:;
> 
> Dear colleagues,
> 
> As you have likely seen, USTR will continue STIP negotiations this week, with a team from the Kenyan government participating in discussions in DC. I've included today's announcement from USTR below my signature. Negotiations for the bilateral trade deal are proceeding despite the harsh anti-LGBTQI bill in Kenyan parliament, which includes a 50-year imprisonment. And over recent months, anti-LGBTQI violence has intensified in the country.
> 
> In solidarity with our Kenyan colleagues, we are coordinating a protest to take place in DC this Friday, October 6. 
> 
> If you can participate, kindly complete this Google form. <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScCiovIRL6UhpTSsn0QvCwWTOXEVLFnPmbMzK-POAIZoNy_kw/viewform?usp=sf_link>
> 
> Thanks + more soon,
> 
> 
> Aly
> 
> P.S. Apologies for cross posting. 
>> Begin forwarded message:
>> 
>> From: USTR Press Office <ustrpressoffice at ustr.eop.gov <mailto:ustrpressoffice at ustr.eop.gov>>
>> Subject: United States and Kenya to Hold Second Negotiating Round Under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership
>> Date: October 3, 2023 at 1:29:45 PM EDT
>> Reply-To: USTR Press Office <ustrpressoffice at ustr.eop.gov <mailto:ustrpressoffice at ustr.eop.gov>>
>> 
>>  <https://ustr.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b58f12c4da47019d98a1e84ef&id=e6a78499db&e=2babc947d3>
>> View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/20debf29da1e/united-states-and-kenya-to-hold-second-negotiating-round-under-the-strategic-trade-and-investment-partnership?e=2babc947d3>
>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>> October 3, 2023
>>  
>> CONTACT: media at ustr.eop.gov <mailto:media at ustr.eop.gov>
>>  
>> United States and Kenya to Hold Second Negotiating Round Under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership 
>>  
>> WASHINGTON – The United States and Kenya will hold a second in-person round under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Washington, DC, from October 4-7, 2023. The United States delegation will be led by Assistant United States Trade Representative Constance Hamilton and will include representatives from several other government agencies.
>>  
>> The negotiators last met in person under the STIP in April 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, and have continued to make progress in deepening mutual understanding and resolving differences. Ambassador Tai also traveled to Nairobi from July 17-19, 2023, where she engaged in productive discussions with President Ruto and senior Kenyan officials, on the positive feedback USTR has received from stakeholders on the STIP thus far and on the continued momentum of ongoing negotiations. 
>>  
>> This round of discussions will cover four of the topics under the U.S.-Kenya STIP: (1) agriculture, (2) anti-corruption, (3) inclusivity, and (4) services domestic regulation.
>>  
>> These meetings will be closed press. 
>>  
>> Background
>> The United States and Kenya launched the U.S.-Kenya STIP on July 14, 2022 <https://ustr.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b58f12c4da47019d98a1e84ef&id=077035c127&e=2babc947d3> and announced that the two governments would pursue enhanced engagement leading to high standard commitments in a wide range of areas.  The goal of the Partnership is to increase investment; promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth; benefit workers, consumers, and businesses (including micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises); and support African regional economic integration.  
>> The joint statement identified a set of initial issues on which the United States and Kenya share the goal of negotiating high-standard commitments in order to achieve economically meaningful outcomes.  On August 5, 2022, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published in the Federal Register a request for public comment on objectives for those areas of initial focus: 
>> (1) agriculture, (2) anti-corruption, (3) digital trade, (4) environment and climate action, (5) good regulatory practices, (6) micro, small, and medium size enterprises, (7) protecting worker’s rights and protections, (8) supporting the participation of women, youth, and others in trade, (9) standards collaboration, (10) trade facilitation and customs procedures, and (11) services domestic regulation. 
>>  
>>  
>> 
>> 
>>  
>> ###
>> U.S. Trade Representative Press Office
>>  <mailto:media at ustr.eop.gov>
>>  <https://ustr.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b58f12c4da47019d98a1e84ef&id=c37c3c8b78&e=2babc947d3>
>>  <https://ustr.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b58f12c4da47019d98a1e84ef&id=8a9c55f7e7&e=2babc947d3>
>>  <https://ustr.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b58f12c4da47019d98a1e84ef&id=58d3c63240&e=2babc947d3>
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 

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