Togo’s Minister for Human Rights shoots down requests to decriminalize LGBTQI activities in the country

Looks like it is not just Ghana that is disgruntled and strongly resisting the legalization and practice of LGBTQI but its next-door neighbour Togo as well. Togolese authorities have reiterated their resolve to maintain the current laws that criminalize the act in the country.

The country’s government maintains that such practice contradicts their societal values and are alien to them thus will not be accepted in the country in any form.

Togolese laws inherited from the colonial era state that homosexual practice is punishable by a jail term of one to three years and a fine ranging between 100,000 – 500,000 CFA francs. The country has taken the stand not to compromise as they seek to protect their values and culture.

During the 5th assessment of the country’s human rights achievements held over the weekend by the United Nation Human Rights Committee, the representing authorities refused the request to decriminalize homosexual practices.

The Minister of Human Rights Christian Trimua explained the reason Togo is not even considering switching its positions that criminalizes sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex is that it goes against cultural values. Thus, once again the plea of the hope of having free space for LGBTQI people to practice in the country has been defeated even before it could take shape.

By Jamila Abdul Wahab Follow on Twitter @activetvgh

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