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Nigeria's president signs law imposing up to 14 years' jail for gay relationships | Nigeria's president signs law imposing up to 14 years' jail for gay relationships |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill on Monday that criminalises same-sex relationships, defying western pressure over gay rights and provoking US criticism. | |
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. | 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. |
A presidential spokesman 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. | A presidential spokesman 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 homosexual people, who already live a largely underground existence. | |
The US secretary of state, John Kerry, said Washington 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. | "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," he said. | "It is inconsistent with Nigeria's international legal obligations and undermines ... democratic reforms and human rights protections," he said. |
While European countries, most recently France, have moved to offer same-sex couples the legal rights enjoyed by heterosexuals, many African countries are seeking to tighten laws against homosexuality. | While European countries, most recently France, have moved to offer same-sex couples the 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 such as Uganda and Malawi. But they have little leverage over Nigeria, whose budget is funded by its oil output of 2m barrels a day . | 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 such as Uganda and Malawi. But they have little leverage over Nigeria, whose budget is funded by its oil output of 2m barrels a day . |
"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. | "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 organisations 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." | "Any person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations 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. | The news provoked an outpouring of anti-gay invective on Twitter. |
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