Defending the Defenders!

 

Defending the Defenders!

Kayode Gomes in Prison Custody with 21 others in Ghana 

for “Defending LGBT + Activities” and “illegal assembly”....

At least 21 people were arrested on May 20, 2021 after a police raid on a hotel where a workshop for LGBT + people was being held.

The media stormed the hotel and took photos before calling the police to come and arrest the participants - which they did, after confiscating their belongings. Police said the arrests were “in defense of LGBT + activities”.

A Ho District Court ordered the continued detention of the 21 innocent people until their hearing scheduled for June 4, 2021.

These arrests are illegal: no law provides for a ban on meetings for advocacy or LGBT + subjects. It is a constitutional right.

Those detained did not have access to a lawyer before being brought to court. Some of them suffer from illnesses and need treatment.

We call on the police/court to immediately release these 21 people and drop the charges.

We also call on the Ghanaian authorities to address the issue of harassment against LGBT + people in the country, and to ask in writing the police to stop arbitrary arrests based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, non-compliance. gender or consensual same-sex relationships.

"This was my story in 2015 when I was arrested with other social work colleagues and community members while we were conducting a health sensitization program in Kaduna, Nigeria". 

Today is the story of these brave activists that have been held in prison custody since May 20th 2021.

While the court keeps adjourning their case we call on all goodwill individuals and institutions to come to their aid in any form possible and by signing the petition below.

 

We call for their release immediately and drop all charges.

Please add your name and join us in the fight for LGBT+ rights! http://a.allout.org/s/WNnYp/

https://action.allout.org/fr/m/f217eb3/?utm_campaign=mgp-f217eb3&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social