Ghana Faces International Condemnation Following Passage of LGBTQ+ Criminalization Bill
BILL CRIMINALIZING LGBTQ COMMUNITY ADVANCES IN GHANA
A bill which criminalizes LGBTQ+ people in Ghana and their supporters drew international condemnation Thursday after it was passed by parliament, with the United Nations calling it “profoundly disturbing” and urging for it not to become law.
Bill Expands Criminal Sanctions against LGBTQ+ Community
In a statement, Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner, said the bill broadens the scope of criminal sanctions against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people simply for being who they are, and threatens criminal penalties against those perceived as their allies.
“Consensual same-sex conduct should never be criminalized … The bill, if it becomes law, will be corrosive, and will have a negative impact on society as a whole,” she said.
International Condemnation Grows
Ghana has generally been considered to be more respectful of human rights than most African countries, but since the legislation passed through parliament, international condemnation has grown.
The United States said it was deeply troubled by the bill, saying it threatens Ghanaians’ freedom of speech and is urging for its constitutionality to be reviewed, said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller on Wednesday.
Concerns for Safety and Democracy
LGBTQ+ people in Ghana say they’re worried for the safety of those around them, such as health providers, as well as for themselves.
“The passage of this bill, it demonstrates to me and all Ghanaians that our politicians do not respect our democracy. They do not respect our constitution, nor do they respect the many international rights treaties that Ghana has signed onto over the years,” a queer person who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal told The Associated Press.
Continued Advocacy and Uncertain Future
Audrey Gadzekpo, chairman of the Center for Democratic Development, a rights group, said it will continue advocating to get the bill thrown out, including by going to court.
“I don’t know how much longer I can continue to live in a country that has criminalized me,” she said.
