ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalizes same-sex relationships, defying Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States.
The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex "amorous relationships" and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the national assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed signing it into law.
Presidency spokesman Reuben Abati told Reuters he had now done so.
As in much of sub-Saharan Africa, anti-gay sentiment and persecution of homosexuals is rife in Nigeria, so the new legislation is likely to be popular. Jonathan is expected to seek re-election in 2015 but is under pressure after several dozen lawmakers and a handful of regional governors defected to the opposition in the past two months.
Under existing Nigerian federal law, sodomy is punishable by jail, but this bill legislates for a much broader crackdown on homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States was deeply concerned by the new measures.
"Beyond even prohibiting same sex marriage, this law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly ... and expression for all Nigerians," he said in a statement.
"It is inconsistent with Nigeria's international legal obligations and undermines ... democratic reforms and human rights protections."
While European countries, most recently France, have moved to offer same-sex couples the same legal rights enjoyed by heterosexuals, many African countries are seeking to tighten laws against homosexuality.
Britain and some other Western countries have threatened to cut aid to governments that pass laws persecuting homosexuals, a threat that has helped hold back or scupper such legislation in aid-dependent nations like Uganda and Malawi.
But they have little leverage over Nigeria, whose budget is funded by its 2-million-barrel-per-day oil output.
"Persons who enter into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union commit an offence and are each liable on conviction to a term of 14 years in prison," the bill says.
"Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organizations or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and shall each be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years in prison."
The news provoked an outpouring of anti-gay invective on Twitter, but there were also some who questioned the priorities of the president, who is commonly referred to by his initials.
"I cannot believe GEJ took time to sign a bill into law jailing people for being gay. I don't have any electricity, dude!" one post read.
Serious war coming for President GEJ as the USA has already voiced its concern about the signature of the bill against gays.
According to the Secretary of The State's Statement;
The United States is deeply concerned by Nigeria’s enactment of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act. Beyond even prohibiting same-s*x marriage, this law dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association, and expression of Nigerians. Moreover, it is 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. We join with those in Nigeria who appeal for the protection of their fellow citizens’ fundamental freedoms and universal human rights.
People everywhere deserve to live in freedom and equality. No one should face violence or discrimination for who they are or who they love. We join with those in Nigeria who appeal for the protection of their fellow citizens’ fundamental freedoms and universal human rights.
A Blogger, Melanie Nathan has also listed 10 steps gays are going to take against Nigeria in the coming days:
1. Write polite letters to the President of Nigeria expressing your thoughts and explain what being g*y really means – and send a copy of your letter to protectlgbt@gmail.com for publication in this BLOG. (no more than 600 words).
2. Organize protests at Nigerian Consulates and Embassies.
3. Write to the Nigerian Ambassador/ consuls/ President in Nigeria/ in their countries that the World is shocked at the passage of Nigeria’s inhumane and horrific ‘Jail The G*ys’ law that President Jonathan just signed into law. Cos the laws against LGBT Nigerians and visitors are based on lies and myths about homos*xuality.
4. Start to Boycott all things Nigerian – to include travel, tourism, industry, exports and imports. Call companies that conduct safaris in Nigeria expressing the danger and your anger (politely) at the support of Nigeria.
5. Call upon their employers to speak out against the Jail the G*ys Bill, especially if they work for a large Hotel, Airline, Bank etc. Chain that operates in or does business with Nigeria.
6. Write a letter to President Obama.
7. Call their local or national LGBT organizations and ask them what they are doing to help protest this Bill.
8. STATE DEPARTMENT: Call the U.S. State Department and ask them if they are willing to make special humanitarian considerations for Nigeria’s LGBT community. Tell the State Department and their member of Congress that they want Nigerian lawmakers banned from entering the U.S.A.
Also they are sure that the State department will soon update their Travel Advisory to a severe WARNING for LGBT people traveling to Nigeria.
9. Call their Mayors' office/ City Councils / Human Rights Commissions and ask for a Proclamation to Condemn the Nigerian law and request that all City dealings exclude business with Nigeria.
10. Join LGBT Protection Coalition, Worldwide, by sending their name and email address to protectlgbt@gmail.com so as to get updates about protests and actions.
2. Organize protests at Nigerian Consulates and Embassies.
3. Write to the Nigerian Ambassador/ consuls/ President in Nigeria/ in their countries that the World is shocked at the passage of Nigeria’s inhumane and horrific ‘Jail The G*ys’ law that President Jonathan just signed into law. Cos the laws against LGBT Nigerians and visitors are based on lies and myths about homos*xuality.
4. Start to Boycott all things Nigerian – to include travel, tourism, industry, exports and imports. Call companies that conduct safaris in Nigeria expressing the danger and your anger (politely) at the support of Nigeria.
5. Call upon their employers to speak out against the Jail the G*ys Bill, especially if they work for a large Hotel, Airline, Bank etc. Chain that operates in or does business with Nigeria.
6. Write a letter to President Obama.
7. Call their local or national LGBT organizations and ask them what they are doing to help protest this Bill.
8. STATE DEPARTMENT: Call the U.S. State Department and ask them if they are willing to make special humanitarian considerations for Nigeria’s LGBT community. Tell the State Department and their member of Congress that they want Nigerian lawmakers banned from entering the U.S.A.
Also they are sure that the State department will soon update their Travel Advisory to a severe WARNING for LGBT people traveling to Nigeria.
9. Call their Mayors' office/ City Councils / Human Rights Commissions and ask for a Proclamation to Condemn the Nigerian law and request that all City dealings exclude business with Nigeria.
10. Join LGBT Protection Coalition, Worldwide, by sending their name and email address to protectlgbt@gmail.com so as to get updates about protests and actions.
2 comments:
Is it not funny that the same West that forbids polygamy want to pressure us to accept gays?.. If they accept polygamy in their Laws , we will consider Gay marriage.
If you want such freedom, find your way to the United States. This is Nigeria. We do not have to go the way other countries are going. Our values are different and we cannot compromise the little we have left. These societies you crave for us to be like are morally bankrupt, we have not gotten to such an extent, we are trying to preserve what is left of our morals. We have refused to accept such an ill. We will not judge any one but if you desire such freedom, find it where it is given. Nigeria doesn't give such. We have more important national issues bothering us as a nation. This cannot and must not be one of them.
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