Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
272. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her Department has taken or will take action concerning legislative proposals in Ghana to recriminalise homosexuality; and if she will express the Irish Government's concern. [71088/25]
View answerThe Government shares the concern at a proposed bill in Ghana, which would criminalise identification as LGBTQI+. We are very concerned that the proposed bill would broaden the scope of criminal sanctions against LGBTQI+ persons in Ghana and prohibit LGBTQI+ organisations. The promotion and protection of human rights is a domestic and foreign policy priority for the Government, underpinned by our commitment to universal human rights. We recognise that LGBTQI+ people continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systemic discrimination in many countries, and we are active in advocating for LGBTQI+ rights.
Ireland strongly supports efforts internationally to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQI+ persons, including through the EU, the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly. We have engaged actively with the UN Independent Expert on Protection against Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, including at the June 2025 Human Rights Council. Ireland has also made defending the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons one of our top priorities in the campaign for election to the Human Rights Council.
At the most recent Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Ghana in January 2023, Ireland expressed concern about a previous draft bill that would marginalise LGBTI+ persons, and urged Ghana to take into account its international human rights obligations. We raised Ireland's concern about such legislation at political level with Ghana’s Deputy Foreign Minister in 2024. We will continue to advocate internationally for the rights of LGBTQI+ people in Ghana.
The Government's international development cooperation programme, Irish Aid, provides support for civil society organisations and human rights defenders working to defend LGBTQI+ rights in developing countries. We have remained steadfast in our commitment to international development, and to the promotion and protection of human rights globally. We will continue to support our partners working at the frontlines to promote human rights and accountability.
