Opposing gay rights stance crowding good reasons-Kofi Abotsi
The Church whose members make up an estimated 10% of the country’s population has noted that parliamentarians are morally obliged to pass the laws that are of interest to the majority of Ghanaians.
The Dean of the UPSA Faculty of Law, Professor Kofi Abotsi has indicated that debates for the criminalization and otherwise of gay rights are becoming irrational and untenable.
According to him, this is crowding out good reasons and circumspection relative to the work of Parliament on the new Bill.
“The debates for gay rights or criminalization are unwinnable! Both sides are digging in and positions are becoming irrational & untenable and this is crowding out good reasons and circumspection as lawmakers ponder the bill & its intents!” he indicated.
Mr.Abotsi made this statement in a tweet on Thursday, October 7, 2021.
Background
This week, fifteen renowned legal, academic, and civil society professionals filed a memorandum challenging the anti-gay legislation submitted to Parliament.
In the memorandum, they contend that the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021, which seeks to criminalize LGBTQ+ and adjacent activities, is an “impermissible invasion of the inviolability of human dignity.
Furthermore, The Coalition of Human Rights has similarly responded in a memorandum to Parliament, stating that the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, remains inconsistent with Ghana’s international obligations.
The memo for instance states the Bill is incompatible with Articles;
1 and 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
1 (3) of the United Nations Charter
2, 3, and 26 the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
2 (2) and 4 the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
2 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC)
1(1) and 7 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families
2, 3, 18 (3)-(4), 28 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights
“Ghana has obligations under international and regional human rights law to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights to all persons in its jurisdiction. Ghana is, therefore, obligated to ensure that the provisions of any measure which may become law align with Ghana’s binding obligations under international law, including regional human rights treaties,” it said.
Additionally, The Church of Pentecost has indicated that it would campaign against Members of Parliament who oppose the anti-LGBT bill currently in Parliament.
The Church whose members make up an estimated 10% of the country’s population has noted that parliamentarians are morally obliged to pass the laws that are of interest to the majority of Ghanaians. In light of the belief that homosexuality has no place in Ghanaian society, the church is urging Parliament to reflect this position and pass the Proper Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill with utmost urgency.
The General Secretary of the Church of Pentecost made this known when he spoke to Accra-based Citi News, monitored by Dennislaw News
According to him, the Church is prepared to take advantage of its huge membership to ensure that society and Parliament kick against the practice of homosexuality.
