Ghana: anti-gay bill proposing 10-year prison sentences sparks outrage
Source: The Guardian
Ghana: anti-gay bill proposing 10-year prison sentences sparks outrage
Bill could mean 10 years in prison for LGBTQ+ people and those who support their rights
Emmanuel Akinwotu West Africa correspondent
Fri 23 Jul 2021 20.40 BST
Draft anti-gay legislation submitted to Ghanas parliament could propose up to 10 years in jail for LGBTQ+ people as well as groups and individuals who advocate for their rights, express sympathy or offer social or medical support, in one of the most draconian and sweeping anti-gay laws proposed around the world.
Support for intersex people would also be criminalised and the government could direct intersex people to receive gender realignment surgery, said the draft legislation.
A leaked copy of the promotion of proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values bill, widely circulated online and confirmed as authentic by diplomats with access to the draft bill, has sparked outrage and growing fear among human rights activists.
The bill would be the first major step in criminalising the sexual minorities and their supporters since independence from colonial rule.
The prospect of harsh new laws has been hailed by numerous MPs and supported by figures in President Nana Akufo-Addos government.
-snip-
Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/jul/23/ghana-anti-gay-bill-proposing-10-year-prison-sentences-sparks-outrage