Scores on social media are demanding the immediate release of some 21 persons picked up by the police on the suspicion of being LGBTQ members.
The group was remanded into police custody on Friday, May 21 for unlawful gathering and having in its possession books and flyers titled; “Hate Crime, The LGBTQ+ Muslim, Gender Acronyms, Coming Out, My Child: My Love Always, All About Trans."
They have been denied bail by the Ho Circuit Court.
For some users on social media, the police have engaged in unlawful practice by rounding up Ghanaians who have committed no crime and refusing to grant them bail.
Others are also questioning the measures and tactics employed by the police to determine the sexual orientation of persons.
Hashtags such as #ReleaseThe21, #ReleaseAllThe21 among other similar constructions have dominated timelines of Twitter since the development ensued, with the aim of getting the suspects freed.
Meanwhile, the suspects are expected to reappear before the Court on June 4.
Below are some comments:
#ReleaseThe21 #QueerGhanaianLivesMatter https://t.co/0dM7qxuNtJ
— Tseliso Monaheng (@nemesisinc) May 26, 2021
Not a happy Wednesday for me. 21 activists and community leaders are still in jail, they’ve been denied bail n are being harassed by the police. So yah, I’m still pissed and Ghana is still a shithole country for infringing on their rights. #ReleaseThe21 #QueerGhanaianLivesMatter
— Sekyibea (@owuraku_jnr) May 26, 2021
Ghana police got time to arrest a group of people who gathered to have fun and elaborate on their well-being and how they will progress as a minority in the society but has refused to invite someone who knows some criminals who committed murder. #ReleaseAllThe21
— Awura Ekua De poet (@awura_ekua) May 26, 2021
#ReleaseAllThe21...# Set us free#.. we have right to stay in our motherland#not because of our sexual or our gender minority will tell my difference as a citizen in Ghana#. #robbery
— Cyril Brandy🌈🌈 (@BrandyCyril) May 26, 2021
# blackmail
I’m really concerned about what they are going through right now. #ReleaseAllThe21
— Alexis Von Givsgudhedd (@aLmightyalexis) May 26, 2021
There is no space for such blatant disregard for the fundamental human rights of Ghanaian citizens in 2021. Abeg #ReleaseAllThe21
— Tru Bonyo (@Karmah_MnB) May 26, 2021
#ReleaseAllThe21 https://t.co/28Kb9weXza
— Nadia Owusu (@staa_boss) May 26, 2021
It's been 6 days since the unlawful arrest of 21 LGBTQ people who were holding a meeting to educate people on community issues. It is shameful and it is unlawful. #ReleaseAllThe21
— Melons_rVeggies™ #release_the_21 (@Melons_rVeggies) May 26, 2021
Right now, 21 people are in jail, charged with unlawful assembly, for having a workshop for the lgbtq+ community.
The police is abusing power and the sate is oppressing minorities. #ReleaseAllThe21 🇬🇭🏳️🌈— AERAMI STOME OFFICIAL (@AeramiStome) May 26, 2021
All Ghanaians deserve to live in this country without fear of discrimination. #ReleaseAllThe21 #QueerGhanaianLivesMatter
— can’t believe it either (@peachhsunsets) May 26, 2021
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