UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has responded to the passage of Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill on February 28, 2024.
In a statement from his office, Türk described the development as “profoundly disturbing.”
Prior to its passage, there had been several amendments to the bill. After deliberation, Parliament decided that the minimum custodial sentence has been set at three years, with a maximum of five years for promoters and sympathisers.
Additionally, individuals caught directly engaging in these activities will face a minimum sentence of six months, extendable to a maximum of three years.
The High Commissioner also expressed deep alarm at the Bill’s provisions criminalizing the legitimate work of human rights defenders, teachers, medical professionals, landlords, as well as people seeking healthcare. He also noted that the Bill unduly restricts freedom of association and expression for everyone in Ghana.
“The bill broadens the scope of criminal sanctions against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual and queer people – simply for being who they are – and threatens criminal penalties against perceived allies of LGBTQ+ people,” said Türk.
“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.”
He added: “The bill is contrary to Ghana’s own Constitution and freely-undertaken regional and international human rights obligations and commitments – including to leave no one behind in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said the High Commissioner.
“Criminal sanctions for consensual same-sex conduct not only violate key international human rights norms and standards on equality, non-discrimination, privacy and equal protection of the law, among others – there is extensive evidence that they legitimize prejudice, expose people to hate crime, police abuse, harassment, intimidation, blackmail and torture. They also perpetuate discrimination and denial of access to basic services, including in healthcare, education and housing.”
Türk emphasized that the bill is corrosive and will harm society as a whole. He reaffirmed his Office’s commitment to collaborate with the Government of Ghana and its national partners to ensure that Ghana fulfills its human rights commitments and obligations.