African 'Family Values' Charter Condemned by Human Rights Groups

A new African treaty is moving closer to becoming official policy. Governments across Africa met this week in Ghana to discuss the draft charter.

The draft is called the African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values. It says that African culture is under attack from 'foreign ideologies'. This is a phrase often used to criticise LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality.

The charter asks African countries to leave international agreements. These agreements protect the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people. One key target is the 2003 Maputo Protocol. That protocol promotes gender equality. It also protects the reproductive health rights of women and girls.

Human rights groups are very concerned. They say the charter is regressive. This means it moves backwards on important rights. Groups warn the charter could be dangerous for vulnerable people. This includes LGBTQ+ people, women, and girls across Africa.

Critics say the charter uses 'family values' as a tool. They believe it is designed to roll back hard-won rights. Many African activists are speaking out against the draft treaty.

Sexual and reproductive health rights are directly mentioned in the charter. The document describes these rights as a threat to the African family. Rights organisations strongly reject this claim. They say access to healthcare is a basic human right.

The language of the charter mirrors anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-gender movements seen worldwide. Experts say this is part of a larger global trend. Conservative and religious groups are pushing back against LGBTQ+ rights in many regions.

African LGBTQ+ activists are calling on their governments to reject the charter. They say it will make their lives more dangerous. Many LGBTQ+ people in Africa already face discrimination, violence, and criminalisation.

The Guardian, which reviewed the draft document, reports that the charter directly challenges longstanding international human rights obligations. Human rights lawyers say this sets a worrying legal precedent for the continent.

The debate is ongoing. Rights groups are urging international bodies to put pressure on African governments. They want leaders to protect — not restrict — the rights of all citizens.