The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has strongly criticized the passage of the “Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2024” by Ghana’s Parliament.
Calling the action profoundly disturbing, Türk highlighted that the bill extends criminal sanctions against LGBTQ+ individuals and threatens penalties for their allies, infringing on their fundamental rights.
Türk urged the Ghanaian government to reject the bill and ensure that everyone can live free from violence, stigma, and discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
He emphasized that consensual same-sex conduct should never be criminalized.
Expressing deep concern, Türk noted that the bill criminalizes the legitimate work of human rights defenders, teachers, medical professionals, landlords, and individuals seeking healthcare, while also restricting freedom of association and expression for all citizens of Ghana.
He further stressed that criminalizing consensual same-sex conduct violates key norms and standards on equality, non-discrimination, and privacy.
Türk emphasized the negative impact of such laws, legitimizing prejudice and exposing individuals to hate crimes and police abuse.
Türk warned that the bill’s corrosive nature would have a detrimental effect on Ghanaian society as a whole.
He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to working with the government and national partners to ensure that Ghana upholds its human rights commitments and obligations.
It will be recalled that Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, passed the controversial bill after several debates and stiff opposition from some members of the majority.
The objective of the Bill is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian Family Values, which proscribes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+), and related activities.
The bill criminalizes their promotion, advocacy, and funding.
Persons caught in these acts would be subjected to six months to three-year jail term with promoters and sponsors of these acts bearing a three to five-year jail term.
The bill would now require presidential assent to come into force.