NEWS & REPORTING

U.S & others rebuke Nigeria on Gay bill

The United States has joined its voice to the host of foreign nations speaking out against Nigeria’s anti-gay marriage bill. In a statement issued by the US Embassy on Friday, the western nation expressed concern Senate-approved bill that outlaws gay marriage and institutes a 14-year jail term on same-sex couples who seek to marry. 

The bill, which is now on its way to the House of Representatives before landing on the President’s desk where it will more than likely be signed into law, will also met out a 10 year jail term for “any persons who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations” as well as “any person who… directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amourous relationships.”

The statement reads:                                                                                                                              “The United States is concerned about reports of legislation in Nigeria that would restrict expression, assembly or organisation based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The United States believes that all people deserve the full range of human rights and opposes the criminalisation of sexual relations between consenting adults. The United States is watching this matter closely.”

The US statement also said “the freedoms of speech, assembly and association are long-standing international commitments and universally recognised.”

“Nigeria, as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has assumed important obligations on these matters. We expect the government of Nigeria to act in a manner consistent with those obligations.”

Canada is condemning Nigeria for clamping down on homosexuality.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird lashed out at a bill passed by Nigeria’s senate that would, if ratified, “disregard basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Nigeria already criminalizes homosexuality, and this bill would make same-sex marriage punishable by a 14-year jail sentence and turn supporters or witnesses of such unions into criminals as well, the release said. Groups that support gay rights would also be banned.

“The Government of Nigeria must protect all Nigerians, regardless of sexual orientation,” Baird said. “Through the Commonwealth and other forums, Canada will continue to make this point in the most forceful of terms.”

Baird called the promotion and protection of human rights an “integral part” of Canadian foreign policy.

 Amnesty International declared the Nigerian bill “reprehensible.” 

“If passed, this measure would target people on the basis of their identity, not merely their behaviour, and put a wide range of people at risk of criminal sanctions for exercising basic rights and opposing discrimination based purely on a person’s actual or presumed sexual orientation or gender identity,” the human rights group said.

The Nigerian bill goes to the nation’s House of Representatives for a vote before President Goodluck Jonathan is able to sign it into law. Last month, British Prime Minister David Cameron threatened to withhold aid from nations violating gay rights, triggering outrage from African leaders who said the move undermined their sovereignty and cultural practices.

Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.

He says legislation being considered in Nigeria would disregard basic human rights. The country's Senate has approved a bill which would further toughen Nigerian anti-gay laws and make same-sex marriages punishable by 14 years in jail.

It also targets those who support or even witness such unions or those who form gay-rights groups.

Baird says Nigeria should ensure equal basic rights for all its citizens. At the October Commonwealth conference in Australia, Canada was part of a failed effort to persuade member states to rescind anti-gay laws.

Baird says Canada will keep trying, even though 41 of the group's 54 member countries have anti-gay laws. He said governments have a duty to all citizens.

"The government of Nigeria must protect all Nigerians, regardless of sexual orientation," he said. "Through the Commonwealth and other forums, Canada will continue to make this point in the most forceful of terms."

Many Third World countries maintain tough anti-gay laws and condemn western efforts to change their views.

David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, threatens sanctions unless Nigeria and Uganda both legalize  homosexuality and lesbianism

Britain has threatened countries that ban homosexuality with losing aid payments unless they reform, David Cameron has said.

But he conceded that "deep prejudices" in some countries meant the problem would persist for years.

The prime minister said he had raised the issue with leaders of some of the states involved when he attended the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Australia. Britain was "putting the pressure on", he said. But it was not a problem that would be solved by the time Commonwealth leaders are next due to meet, in Sri Lanka in 2013.