A Nigerian LGBTI-rights group has started a petition urging the nation’s President not to sign a draconian ‘jail the gays’ Bill into law. The group, Nigeria LGBTIs in Diaspora Against Anti Same-Sex Laws, has released a statement condemning the passage of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition bill by the Nigerian House of Representatives. The draconian bill was passed in a voice vote on Thursday 30 May. It stipulates a 14 years jail term for same-sex marriage and 10 years imprisonment for public show of same-sex affection. It would also introduce a ten year prison sentence for anyone who abets a gay person, witnesses a same sex marriage or advocates for LGBT rights. The group says the Bill is a blatant violation of human rights. “It is a shame that such draconian bill was passed unanimously in both Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives,” it says. “The homophobic bill violates fundamental human rights that are guaranteed under the Nigerian constitution and various regional and international human rights laws that Nigeria has ratified. Thus this Bill contradicts parts of the Nigerian Constitution. “The same sex marriage prohibition bill if signed into law would encourage the political and social harassment of people for their actual or imputed sexual orientation. It would also stifle the rights to Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Association through the proposed ban on organizations that support Lesbians and gay rights. “This draconian bill if signed into law would further affect Nigeria’s Human rights records. Individuals and state institutions including the police force are already using the unsigned bill as a license to intimidate and harass citizens based on their actual or suspected sexual orientation. The passing of this bill gives official validation to the harassment of sexual minorities.” The group adds that sodomy law is a relic from British colonization. “The British parliament and many of its former colonies have since repealed the law. Why is Nigeria clinging to this antiquated Sodomy law? Why do Nigerian Law makers seek to further strengthen a discriminatory law in a democracy?” It’s asking for support for its petition urging President Goodluck Jonathan not to sign the bill into law.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 4th June 2013 - 11:11am