The UN experts in a statement condemned the arrest adding that the alleged arbitrary detention of the LGBTQI persons was "defending the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse (LGBT) community".
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Release 21 persons arrested in Ho for allegedly pushing LGBTQI agenda - UN experts urge gov't
Human rights experts at the United Nations have urged the government to release the 21 suspected lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) people who were arrested for unlawful assembly at the Nurses and Midwives Hotel, Ho on May 21, 2021.
LGBTQI flag
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It said "We are deeply concerned by the arrests of the human rights defenders. All evidence available to us points to the fact that they were detained while they were peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
"Human rights defenders play a key role in protecting vulnerable groups from violence and discrimination and empowering them to claim their human rights. Ghana should ensure that no one is criminalised for defending the fundamental rights of LGBT people."
It added: "Detention on discriminatory grounds, including for combating violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, is arbitrary by its own nature and violates international human rights law. The Government of Ghana must release them immediately and unconditionally."
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The UN experts are Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Elizabeth Broderick (Chair), Melissa Upreti (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, Ivana Radačić, and Meskerem Geset Techane, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls; Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Leigh Toomey (Chair-Rapporteur), Elina Steinerte (Vice-chairperson), Mumba Malila, Miriam Estrada-Castillo, Priya Gopalan, Working Group on arbitrary detention; Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
LGBTQI+ people face widespread persecution in Ghana where gay sex is punishable with up to three years imprisonment.
The suspects were made up of 16 women and five men between the ages of 20-35.
Items retrieved from the suspects included materials on LGBTQI+ and transgender activities used during their gathering and their mobile phones, which are in the custody of the police to aid in their investigations.
According to the police, the program was sponsored by some organizations championing the activities of LGBTQI.
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