Amnesty International has declared its intention to pursue legal action against the proposed Anti-LGBTQ bill if approved by Parliament.

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This announcement follows the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) urging a reconsideration of certain sections of the bill, also known as the Promotion of Proper Human Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021.The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference has expressed support for the bill, emphasizing its stance against criminalizing individuals based on their sexual orientation.

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Speaking on Starr Today with Joshua Kojo Mensah, Genevieve Partington, Country Director for Amnesty International, asserted that the bill contradicts the Constitution of Ghana and should be rejected.

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Among the concerns raised, Partington pointed out the lack of a clear definition for an LGBT person in the bill and questioned how romantic displays of affection between the same sex would be determined.

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She warned that the bill could instigate homophobia in Ghana and result in wrongful arrests, particularly affecting individuals suspected of being LGBT.

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Expressing firm opposition to the bill, Partington highlighted that Amnesty International rejects its existence and views the criminalization of private, consensual activities as a violation of international human rights laws.

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“First of all the bill does not even define who an LGBT person is, there is no definition. So how are you going to identify who an LGBT person is?"

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“There is a certain part of the bill that talks about romantic displays of affection. How do you define romantic affection between the same sex? So do you see two men holding hands apart from the LGBT community? These are some of the concerns that we have raised from the bill and so many other parts that we have issues with,” Madam Patington stated.

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“So it is going to bring homophobia in Ghana” adding that now that Ghana gives visas on arrival tourists may be wrongly arrested.

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“Persons suspected to be LGBT are being forced from their houses, landlords and landlords are going through a forced eviction process. We really have to be concerned with this bill as Ghanaians and understand that it will not just affect the LGBT community."

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“I have always said that Amnesty International completely rejects this bill, it should not exist and criminalizing persons for an activity that happens in their bedroom is actually against international human rights laws. So we should not even be considering it.

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She emphasized that, if the bill is passed, Amnesty International will pursue legal action in accordance with their rights to challenge such legislation in court.

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“It is against the 1992 Constitution so all these things we have to consider. For Amnesty International should the bill be passed we will take it to court. As we are allowed to so that is the agenda we have,” she added.

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