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Gay witch-hunt in Nigeria
11 Feb 2007- What could possibly
be the most homophobic piece of legislation on record, could soon be
approved by Nigerian parliament. A piece of legislation which could
quite possibly be the most homophobic piece of legislation is currently
being reviewed by Nigerian parliament after the laws were approved by
the Federal Executive Council.
The following is a release from the Outrage! Group.
"Nigeria seems certain to legislate one of the world's most sweeping and
repressive anti-gay laws, unless international pressure is bought to
bear on the Nigerian government in the next few weeks," said Peter
Tatchell of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights
group OutRage!.
"We appeal to gay and human rights groups worldwide to take urgent
action to press the Nigerian government to uphold international human
rights law and to drop this draconian legislation.
"A new bill, currently being debated in the Nigerian parliament, is the
most comprehensively homophobic legislation ever proposed in any country
in the world. Its extremism is rivalled only by the death penalty that
exists for homosexuality in several Islamic fundamentalist states,"
added Mr Tatchell.
"The bill is primarily concerned with banning same-sex marriage, but its
sub-clauses go much further. They will strip lesbian and gay Nigerians
of their already limited civil rights. The bill outlaws almost every
expression, affirmation and celebration of gay identity and sexuality,
and prohibits the provision of sympathetic advice and welfare support to
lesbians and gay men.
"Violations will be punished with an automatic five year jail sentence.
"The draconian measure will outlaw membership of a gay group, attending
a gay meeting or protest, advocating gay equality, donating money to a
gay organisation, hosting or visiting a gay website, the publication or
possession of gay safer sex advice, renting or selling a property to a
gay couple, expressions of same-sex love in letters or emails, attending
a same-sex marriage or blessing ceremony, screening or watching a gay
movie, taking or possessing photos of a gay couple, and publishing,
selling or loaning a gay book or video.
"Even mere socialising by two or more gay people is likely to be
interpreted as illegal.
"It widens Nigeria's already harsh anti-gay laws, to criminalise any
expression, public or private, of homosexuality. Attending a private
gathering of gay people, or imparting HIV prevention information to a
gay person, will become a crime.
"Even before this new legislation, homosexuality was punished with a
14-year jail term under civil law, and by the death penalty in the
northern regions of the country that are governed by Sharia law.
"The new legislation is backed by the Anglican Church in Nigeria and by
its notoriously homophobic Archbishop, Peter Akinola. They are
encouraging and endorsing the bill's victimisation of their gay
countrymen and women, including the victimisation of their fellow
Christians who are gay.
"The new law will criminalise gay Christian gatherings, blessings and
celebrations. It is a direct attack on both the Christian and gay
communities of Nigeria," said Mr Tatchell.
The bill is entitled, "The Prohibition of Relationships Between Persons
of the Same Sex, Celebration of Marriage by Them, and for Other Matters
Connected Therewith."
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