In a controversial move that has sparked global outrage, Ghana’s parliament recently passed an anti-LGBTQ+ bill that could have far-reaching consequences for the LGBTQ+ community in the West African nation.
The bill, known as the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, was approved by lawmakers on Wednesday in a unanimous vote and is now awaiting the signature of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
If signed into law, the bill would criminalize the identification 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” in Ghana — with individuals facing the threat of imprisonment for up to three years for expressing their sexual or gender identity. Furthermore, those found guilty of “promoting” or supporting LGBTQ+ activities could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, marking one of the harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Africa.
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This move has sparked concerns among human rights activists and organizations worldwide, who view it as a significant setback for LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana. The bill not only infringes on the fundamental rights of individuals to express their sexual and gender identity but also perpetuates discrimination and intolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Ghana has a history of criminalizing same-sex relationships, with gay sexual acts already illegal in the country and punishable by up to three years in prison. The passage of this new bill further entrenches these discriminatory practices and sends a dangerous message that LGBTQ+ individuals are not welcome in Ghanaian society.
In response to the passage of the bill, LGBTQ+ activists in Ghana and around the world have condemned the government’s actions and called for international solidarity in support of LGBTQ+ rights. They argue that everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserves to live free from discrimination and violence.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has condemned the passage of the proposed bill. In response to it, Türk said,“The bill broadens the scope of criminal sanctions against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual and queer people – simply for being who they are. I call for the bill not to become law. I urge the Ghanaian government to take steps to ensure everyone can live free from violence, stigma, and discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Consensual same-sex conduct should never be criminalized,” ABC News quotes.
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