NEWS: Nigeria Passes Anti-Gay Law

<p>The president of Nigeria as signed a new bill, shrouded in secrecy that outlaws homosexuality.</p> <p>By Newsdesk | 14th January 2014 </p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4604303965.png" width="460" height="230" alt="Nigeria" title="Nigeria"/></p> <p></p><p>• Law criminalises homosexuality</p><p>• Punishment includes prison tariff up to 14 years.</p><p>• Law does not allow gay clubs, associations or organisations.</p><p></p><p>A step in the wrong direction for Nigerian LGBT people, as the Country’s President signs into law a bill that will make being gay in the African country a near impossibility,<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/10570304/Nigeria-passes-law-banning-homosexuality.html"> the telegraph is reporting</a></p><p></p><p>Associate Press obtained a copy of the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which was signed by President Goodluck on the 7th January. However no official announcement was made that the law had been signed.</p><p></p><p>The law has made it illegal for gay people to hold meetings, run LGBT organisations, associations and clubs. </p><p></p><p>Nigeria is still part of the Commonwealth. Last year <a href="http://www.thegayuk.com/magazine/4574334751/NEWS-Queen-To-Address-Anti-Gay-Discrimination/5114777">Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II signed a charter that opposed all forms of discrimination. </a></p><p></p><p>TheGayUK has contacted the Commonwealth for comment.</p><p></p><p>British human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, has been campaigning with Nigerians against the Bill. He commented:</p><p></p><p>'This is a tragic day for human rights in Nigeria. Signing the Bill is a backward step that gravely intensifies the already existing harsh anti-gay laws in Nigeria. These laws were originally imposed by the British during the period of colonial rule in the nineteenth century. </p><p> </p><p>'The legislation outlaws the hosting, participation or witnessing of a same-sex marriage or civil union. It also criminalises LGBT organisations and advocacy groups, support for gay organisations and events, and public expressions of same-sex affection. This makes it one of the most draconian homophobic laws in the world. </p><p> </p><p>'The Bill violates the equality and non-discrimination clause of the Nigerian constitution (Article 42), the Commonwealth Charter and Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which Nigeria has signed and pledged to uphold.</p><p> </p><p>'This law is symptomatic of the many human rights abuses that prevail in Nigeria and which all Nigerians - LGBT and straight - have a common interest in overturning.'</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>