Human rights organization Amnesty International-Ghana has objected to custodial sentences for individuals engaging in LGBTQ+ activities in the country.
Country Director for Amnesty International Ghana, Genevieve Partington, justified that activities conducted by individuals perceived to be gays should not warrant jail terms, calling for the withdrawal of the Bill.
On Thursday, February 8, Parliament approved a three-to-five-year jail term for individuals who wilfully promote or sponsor LGBTQ activities, while those caught in the act are to be sentenced to a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 3 years.
During an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM with Selorm Adonoo, Genevieve Partington, asserted that it is wrongful to jail persons perceived to be homosexuals, arguing that innocent individuals will suffer unjustly.
She described certain clauses in the Bill as ambiguous because they have vaguely been defined, emphasizing the negative impact they will have on targeted individuals.
“Certain clauses in the Bill, such as clause 7 on the prohibition of gross indecency. What constitutes grossly indecent acts? We have instances like romantic relationships between or among persons of the same sex, publicly displayed. A grossly indecent act is not clearly defined. Is holding hands with the same sex a grossly indecent act? It’s very ambiguous, it’s vaguely defined. The other issue with the Bill is the first part; they have not defined who homosexuals and gays are. They have simply stated it. If you find someone who is gay or has committed an act, as a citizen of this country, you are supposed to report.”
She stressed, “Some people may think that because some individuals walk or style their hair in a certain way, they are gay. That is very subjective and it’s a personal opinion. Amnesty International is completely against the Bill, period. Whether it involves custodial sentencing or non-custodial sentencing, the fact that people are being sent to jail just because they are living their lives freely and trying to exist while respecting the laws of Ghana and within their jurisdiction, and it’s their private life. That alone means the Bill should be thrown out.”
She further argued that individuals perceived to be gay don’t have their sexuality written on their faces.
“If you say someone is gay or lesbian, is it written on their faces?” she asked.
The Country Director for Amnesty International-Ghana dismissed the assertion that lesbians kissing each other harms other individuals.
“How is a woman kissing a woman harming another person?” she queried.
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