Ghana’s parliament has recently passed a contentious bill, officially titled the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, that could criminalize the identification as LGBTQ+. The legislation not only targets individuals engaging in LGBTQ+ activities but also imposes strict penalties on those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and support groups.
What is the Bill?
The newly approved bill introduces severe consequences for anyone identifying with LGBTQ+ identities. Individuals found guilty of identifying as “gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, nonbinary, queer, or any other sexual or gender identity that is contrary to the binary categories of male and female” could face imprisonment of up to three years. Additionally, those promoting, sponsoring, or supporting LGBTQ+ activities could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.
Why is it met with global criticism?
The passage of this legislation has sparked concerns and condemnation from international human rights organizations, including the United Nations. The bill has been described as one of the harshest of its kind in Africa, broadening the scope of criminal sanctions against LGBTQ+ individuals simply for their identities. The United States, expressing deep concern, emphasized that the bill poses a threat to constitutionally protected freedoms of speech, press, and assembly in Ghana.
Global Human Rights Impact
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, strongly condemned the bill, asserting that it violates the basic human rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. Türk urged the Ghanaian government to prevent the bill from becoming law, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that everyone can live free from violence, stigma, and discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Background and Legislative Context
The bill’s approval follows months of heated debate, with some lawmakers pushing for even harsher measures. Ghana already criminalizes gay sex with a three-year prison sentence, but the new bill signifies an escalation of restrictions and penalties against the LGBTQ+ community. Activists argue that the legislation is a setback for human rights, creating an environment of fear and persecution.
Local and International Outcry
Local LGBTQ+ activists, such as Alex Donkor of LGBT+ Rights Ghana, express deep concern about the potential consequences of the bill, emphasizing that it could further marginalize and endanger LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana. The international community, including the United States, has called on President Nana Akufo-Addo not to assent to the bill, emphasizing its inconsistency with Ghana’s tradition of tolerance, peace, and respect for human rights.
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