By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, April 14, GNA – Advocacy groups have commended Ghana’s leadership at the United Nations and called for urgent domestic action to protect the rights of intersex persons.
The commendation follows Ghana’s role in spearheading the adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as “the gravest crime against humanity.”
A joint statement issued by Key Watch Ghana (KWG) and Intersex Movement Ghana, and signed by Mr Shone Adjei, Executive Director of KWG, described the country’s role as “historic and morally significant,” adding that it reinforced Ghana’s longstanding commitment to justice, dignity and human rights.
The groups said such global leadership must be matched with concrete domestic policy and legal reforms.
They called on the Government to urgently ratify and domesticate key international human rights instruments aimed at protecting intersex persons.
They urged authorities to end intersex genital mutilation and all non-consensual medical interventions, prohibit infanticide and harmful cultural practices, and ensure legal recognition of sex and gender for intersex persons.
“Intersex genital mutilation, forced ‘normalisation’ procedures, and infanticide constitute serious human rights violations requiring urgent attention,” the statement said.
The groups noted that just as the global community had recognised the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, similar urgency must be applied to ending ongoing violations against intersex persons.
They referenced Ghana’s support for international frameworks, including the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/55/14 and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Resolution 552, and stressed the need to translate such commitments into national laws, policies and safeguards.
The organisations reiterated that protecting intersex rights was essential to upholding fundamental human rights, including the right to life, dignity and bodily autonomy.
They called for increased public awareness and stakeholder engagement to address stigma and discrimination and urged the Government to demonstrate leadership not only globally but also domestically by ensuring the protection and inclusion of all citizens.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey