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Bill That Would Criminalise LGBTIQ+ People Reaches Ghana MPs

Ghanaian lawmakers are facing a backlash over a bill before the country's parliament that aims to make gay rights advocacy illegal. Eight lawmakers are sponsoring the bill. The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, received a first reading in parliament on August 2, 2021. It will now be reviewed by a committee before going back to lawmakers for a second reading.

Patrick Brenny, who runs UNAIDS programmes across west and central Africa, said: "This proposed legislation is a gross violation of the human rights of Ghana's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, who already face high levels of violence, abuse, stigma and discrimination."

Gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail in Ghana, where homophobic persecution is widespread, but the draft law would go much further - making it illegal to be LGBTIQ+ or advocate for LGBTIQ+ rights. The bill would impose a maximum 10-year prison sentence on people who support and advocate for same-sex and gay rights. Individuals or groups would also not be allowed to provide social or medical support to LGBTQ+ people.

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Ghana national flag.

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