Us, gay groups condemn Nigeria

US , gay groups
condemn Nigeria’ s

Nigeria on Monday provoked
international outrage after
President Goodluck Jonathan
ratified a controversial bill
outlawing gay marriage and same -
sex unions under threat of
imprisonment .
Secretary of State John Kerry said
the United States was “deeply
concerned ” after Jonathan signed
the Same Sex Marriage
(Prohibition ) Bill 2013 , which
proposes up to 14 years in jail for
law -breakers .
The veteran gay rights campaigner
Peter Tatchell described it as “one
of the world’s most homophobic
laws” while advocacy groups
called it “ tragic ” and a backward
step in the fight for equality.
Jonathan’s spokesman Reuben
Abati earlier confirmed to AFP that
the head of state had signed the
bill earlier this month after it was
approved by parliament last year.
But he dismissed global concerns ,
saying the law was consistent with
the attitudes of most people
towards homosexuality in the
highly religious west African
nation .
John Kerry : condemns Nigeria’ s
anti- gay law
“ More than 90 percent of Nigerians
are opposed to same sex
marriage . So, the law is in line with
our cultural and religious beliefs as
a people ,” he added.
The anti- gay marriage law follows
similar legislation in Uganda that
was condemned by US President
Barack Obama as “odious ” and
compared to apartheid by South
African peace icon Archbishop
Desmond Tutu.
The bill , passed by Uganda ’s
parliament but yet to be ratified by
President Yoweri Museveni, had
previously contained a clause
advocating the death penalty .
Homosexuality is also illegal in
Nigeria ’s eastern neighbour ,
Cameroon , and punishable by up
to five years in prison .
The influence of evangelical
Christianity is strong in all three
countries while Nigeria is almost
evenly split between a largely
Christian south and majority
Muslim north.
International concern
Under the Nigerian law , anyone
who enters into a same -sex
marriage or civil union can be
sentenced to 14 years in prison
while any such partnerships
entered into abroad are deemed
“ void”.
It also warns that anyone who
registers , operates or participates
in gay clubs, societies and
organisations or who directly or
indirectly makes a public show of
a same -sex relationship will break
the law .
Punishment is up to 10 years in
prison , it adds .
“ Only a marriage contract between
a man and a woman shall be
recognised as valid in Nigeria ,” the
law states.
Secretary Kerry said Kerry said the
United States was “deeply
concerned ” by Nigeria ’s new law
which “dangerously restricts
freedom of assembly, association
and expression for all Nigerians” .
The act was “inconsistent with
Nigeria ’s international legal
obligations and undermines the
democratic reforms and human
rights protections enshrined in its
1999 constitution” .
“ People everywhere deserve to live
in freedom and equality. No one
should face violence or
discrimination for who they are or
who they love ,” he added .
Amnesty International had urged
Jonathan to reject the bill , calling it
“ discriminatory” and warning of
“ catastrophic” consequences for
Nigeria ’s lesbian , gay , bisexual and
transgender community.
Tatchell described the
development as “a tragic day for
human rights in Nigeria ” and a
“ backward step that gravely
intensifies the already existing
harsh anti- gay laws” in the
country.
“ These laws were originally
imposed by the British during the
period of colonial rule,” he said in
emailed coments.
Nigeria was breaking not just its
own constitution but a raft of
international agreements , he
added .
Jasmine O ’Connor, from London-
based gay advocacy group
Stonewall, said the law was a “ real
blow ” to lesbian , gay and bisexual
people in Nigeria and pledged its
continued support.
But Senator Domingo Obende of
southern Edo state, who
sponsored the bill , said he was
pleased the law was now on the
statute books and Jonathan’s
sanction was expected .
“ We knew that the president of
Nigeria is a traditional human
being, he’s a very moral person
and a Christian , so we knew he
would sign,” he added .
He also warned the international
community not to interfere in
Nigeria ’s affairs.
“ It’ s not a law to kill anybody . It ’s a
corrective measure. Traditionally ,
culturally , morally, Nigeria does
not want this , ” he added .The
United States on Monday criticized
Nigeria for approving a law that
punishes same - sex marriage with
prison , saying the move would
curtail basic human rights.

1 Response
Niyi
January 13, 2014
God punish America ,na you wan
rule our country for us ? If you like
marry goat and dog but in our
country,man marry woman and that
is d way go God.