The Nigerian homosexuality bill, the "Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006" which was presented to the House on the 31st March has now had its first reading in the Senate. A report in the Nigerian Vanguard  states that the Bill has been widened to include "punish individuals who witness,  celebrate with or support couples involved in homosexual relationships".  Any persons breaking the law will be subjected to a compulsory  term of 5 years imprisonment.

Registration of Gay Clubs, Societies and organisations by whatever name they are called in institutions from secondary to the tertiary  level or other institutions in particular and, in Nigeria generally, by government agencies is hereby prohibited.  Publicity, procession and public show of same sex  amorous relationship through the electronic or print media physically, directly, indirectly or otherwise are prohibited in Nigeria.

LGBT activists and organisations working in the area of sexuality as well as  HIV/AIDS organisations are in a perilous position as under the law they will all be criminalised. As the law institutionalizes the discrimination of  lesbians and gays, they will have no redress either morally or under law if they are physically attacked, raped  or discriminated against.  They will no longer be human beings  but  illegal beings.   Women will be even more vulnerable to rape as rapists will be able to accuse the woman of being a lesbian and therefore deserving of rape. In a society where to speak out against rape is hard enough let alone if you are going to be accused of being a lesbian which is an illegal human being with a five year prison sentence waiting for you.

Activists have reported that there is to be no public debate on the Bill and the impression is that the Government are in a hurry to have the Bill passed. The Bill effectively silences the issue of homosexuality in Nigeria and removes all  Human Rights of  HR defenders, lesbians, gays, bi-bisexuals and transgendered people.  If this Bill is passed Nigeria will have repeatedly contravened international law:

The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

Tags: Nigeria  Homosexuals  Human Rights