Human Rights Have No Boundaries (Features)

Published 19/11/11

Human Rights Have No Boundaries (FEATURES)

STORY: Zoe Darling

In light of the current debate surrounding homosexuality in Ghana, the issue of human rights has also been a hot topic. Since British Prime Minister David Cameron’s controversial comments linking the recognition of homosexuality to foreign aid in Ghana, Ghanaians and particularly President John Atta Mills, have made their position on gay and lesbian rights perfectly clear. They will not accept it, and they will certainly not legalise it.

Cameron, expressing views shared with many in the West, clearly recognises the fair and equal treatment of homosexuals as a human right. It seems many Ghanaians have gotten this confused with the legalisation of homosexual marriage, which is not recognized in most of the Western world.

Cameron’s comments and the idea of accepting homosexuality have infuriated many people in Ghana, where a very strong anti-gay sentiment prevails. Many people have told me that in Ghana, it is not part of the culture to accept homosexuality. As a Westerner living in Africa, among many other cultural differences, I have accepted this. I would not suggest that Ghanaians embrace homosexuality and certainly not legalize gay marriage. I would not suggest that Western values be enforced on Ghana; the unique and remarkable culture should not be changed because of unwanted foreign influences.

Let me make it clear that I am in not in any way a gay activist or anything similar. I am, however, a strong believer in the universal recognition of human rights and a supporter of all action taken to ensure they are defended.

Having said this, one thing I struggle to accept is the persecution or prosecution of homosexuals based on their sexuality as I see this as a violation of the individual’s human rights. Ghanaians have argued with me and tried to convince me that in Ghana, freedom of sexuality is not a human right as it is not part of the culture. Again, I struggle to accept this.

The very definition and idea at the core of human rights is the fact that they are rights that belong equally to every human, regardless of nationality, culture, religion, political affiliation or any other distinction. They are universal and egalitarian. The United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) promote and fully support the idea that human rights are an inalienable and fundamental entitlement of all human beings, simply because they are human.

The UNDHR stipulates that everyone is entitled to human rights, "without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”. This makes it very clear that human rights are universal. To remove the rights of homosexuals from this concept is to remove the principal of universality and human rights are transformed to simply reflect the values of certain groups.

But even if one accepts that human rights are universal, they may argue that homosexuality is not a human right. I must argue that fear of prosecution or persecution for a personal choice made in the privacy of one's home, is a violation of human rights. No one should have to fear for their freedom or safety based on the private choice of their sexuality. The UNDHR stipulates that "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation."

I recognise that in Ghana homosexuality is not culturally acceptable, but I also see the discrimination of gays and lesbians based on their sexuality as a violation of human rights.

David Cameron’s stipulation that the recognition of human rights be a requirement for the receipt of international aid does have merit, despite the negative implications that come with such a demand. I simply ask Ghanaians to consider the basic rights of their brothers and sisters and not be so hasty to eliminate choice of sexuality as one of these.