The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, criticized the Gender Rights and Family Values Act 2024 recently passed by the Ghanaian Parliament, calling it deeply disturbing.
UN High Commissioner For Human Rights Censures Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQ bill
Mr. Türk urged the Ghanaian government not to pass the bill, stressing that it would expand criminal sanctions against LGBTQ+ people and their allies.
An Austrian lawyer emphasizes the importance of guaranteeing the right of everyone to live free from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and consensual acts between the same sex will be criminalized. He said this should not happen.
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Türk also expressed concern that the bill would criminalize the legal activities of human rights defenders, teachers, medical professionals, landlords and people seeking medical care, and would limit freedom of association and expression.
He emphasized that the bill violates the Constitution of Ghana and its international human rights obligations, including obligations to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.