Ghana | LGBTI groups sue govt over discrimination and arrests
22.06.2022 - 20:15
/ mambaonline.com
Several groups in Ghana are challenging the government’s unlawful arrest and detention of 21 LGBTI activists and community members last year.
According to a media statement, two separate suits were filed in the Ghana High Court on 14 June against the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of Ghana to seek amends for the violation of the constitutional rights of the litigants.
The cases stem from a 20 May 2021 police raid of a paralegal and human rights training workshop on intersex rights for their volunteers hosted by two Ghanaian LGBTI-led organisations in Ho, Volta region.
The 21 participants and organisers (popularly referred to as the “Ho 21”) were arrested and taken to the police station, where they were detained and charged with “unlawful assembly”. The police released a press statement announcing the arrests due to an unlawful assembly according to sections 201 and 202 of the Criminal Defence Act.
After being denied bail several times, the detainees were finally granted bail by the Ho High Court on 11 June 2021 on the basis that not doing so would be an infringement of their fundamental rights.
In August 2021, the case was dismissed by the Ho Circuit Court due to the Prosecutor and AG acknowledging there was insufficient evidence to prosecute the group for unlawful assembly with the supposed purpose of promoting same-sex activities.
Throughout their unlawful arrest and detention, the individuals were subjected to harassment, assault, discriminatory treatment and other violations of their constitutional rights.
The litigants are being supported by Queer Ghana Education Fund (QuGEF)/Coalition For SupportGH, other LGBTI organisations in Ghana and the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa
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