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General News of Tuesday, 15 January 2013

Source: radioxyzonline.com

Leave Oye Lithur alone - Amnesty International

Amnesty International has condemned the protest from a group of clergy over Nana Oye Lithur’s nomination.

The clergymen say she does not deserve to be minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection because of her stance on gay rights.

They fear she can influence government to soften its stance on homosexuality and get it legalized.

They have also faulted Secretary to the President Dr. Raymond Atuguba for not influencing strict laws against homosexuality when he was the executive secretary of the Constitution Review Commission.

But Country Director of Amnesty International Lawrence Amesu disagrees saying Nana Oye Lithur’s nomination should not be withdrawn of her respect for human rights.

“Nana Oye’s position has been that even if you are a gay or homosexual, you are still a human being just like other people who are in the minority their human rights need to be protected and respected.

“I believe that with the position that she has taken that should not be a reason why her nomination should be relooked at” Mr. Amesu said.

Meanwhile, the Concerned Clergy Association of Ghana which is protesting the nomination of Nana Oye Lithur has threatened to petition the appointments committee of parliament if Nana Oye Lithur does not state clearly her stance on homosexuality.