United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern on Wednesday at a new Nigerian law that criminalises same-sex relationships, which he fears could fuel prejudice and violence and risks obstructing an effective HIV/AIDS response.
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 and signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday.
“The Secretary-General fears that the law may fuel prejudice and violence, and notes with alarm reports that police in northern Nigeria have arrested individuals believed by the authorities to be homosexuals, and may even have tortured them,” Ban’s press office said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
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. Many African countries are seeking to tighten laws against homosexuality.
Under existing Nigerian federal law, sodomy is punishable by jail, but this bill legislates for a much broader crackdown on homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence.
“As UNAIDS and the Global Fund noted in a statement yesterday, the law also risks obstructing effective responses to HIV/AIDS,” Ban said. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Same-sex marriage is madness and Nigerians are saying no to it. Our faiths and culture say no to it. No western power can force us to go against the will of God. We challenge the western donors to keep their aid to themselves. WE SAY NO TO SAME-SEX MADNESS IN NIGERIA.
ReplyDeleteMr UN there will be no violence in Nigeria unless if you are going to be the sponsor as usuall , you give with left hand and collect with right hand hypocrites, my president had done the right thing , to Mr president you have scored Abig point capitalise on this and blow hot to all this countries that a sponsors of the Satan
ReplyDeleteBank ki moo, thisis the most stupid thing you have ever said since you assumed duty as UN sec.Gen.
ReplyDeleteBabs you have really spoke well,they should know we are not the westerns who have no culture,and we can not also go against the will of the almighty God,they should also keep their aid which I find comletely useless to our society,their piorities in Nigeria is this useless same marriage issue,the united nation and the western would does not think about how to assist our country to wipe out the BOKO HARAM in Nigeria and the foooooooools are supporting evil,A SERIOUS CAPITAL NO TO SAME SEX COLO MENTAL MADNESS IN 9iJA,
ReplyDeleteUN should respect the laws of this country. The people through their representative have sad no to Gay marriage. Why is UN and other countries trying to force the opposite on Nigeria. It is not a military decree but a law that passed through all the democratic processes, What is it that UN want again.
ReplyDeleteif ur name na ban,ki,moon,in housa language dat ki,is we dont wnt it nd moon is we naija band it,so get dat into ur fuckin brain.
ReplyDeleteNigeria is a sovereign state, and she has every right to decide what she want... Nigeria SAY NO TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE..we don't neeed western influence on the matter, if they want same-sex marriage let them do it.. We don't want it. Is immoral and our culture does not allow that..
ReplyDeletei really dnt knw y US introduced and invited a country that full of religous manner lyk 9ja 2 all dis rubish. Wht wht d consequence of people dat did dis kind of rubish during d reingn of prophet lutu? May b they think they will alive 4ever. They shld remember that their will b no more one day, and records of their actions will b shown 2 them. Nigerians reject this action. By sufi potiskum
ReplyDeletei really dnt knw y US introduced and invited a country that full of religous manner lyk 9ja 2 all dis rubish. Wht wht d consequence of people dat did dis kind of rubish during d reingn of prophet lutu? May b they think they will alive 4ever. They shld remember that their will b no more one day, and records of their actions will b shown 2 them. Nigerians reject this action. By sufi potiskum
ReplyDeletei really dnt knw y US introduced and invited a country that full of religous manner lyk 9ja 2 all dis rubish. Wht wht d consequence of people dat did dis kind of rubish during d reingn of prophet lutu? May b they think they will alive 4ever. They shld remember that their will b no more one day, and records of their actions will b shown 2 them. Nigerians reject this action. By sufi potiskum
ReplyDeletei really dnt knw y US introduced and invited a country that full of religous manner lyk 9ja 2 all dis rubish. Wht wht d consequence of people dat did dis kind of rubish during d reingn of prophet lutu? May b they think they will alive 4ever. They shld remember that their will b no more one day, and records of their actions will b shown 2 them. Nigerians reject this action. By sufi potiskum
ReplyDeleteWe say no to same sex marriage, in igbo land it is 'ALU' sacrilege, abomination defilement. Tufiakwa. May my eyes not see corruption. I reject it for me and my entire lineage in Jesus most gracious name amen
ReplyDelete