US Gives Nigeria Knocks For Banning Same-s*x Marriage
approving a law that punishes same-s*x marriage with
prison, saying the move would curtail basic human
rights.
Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States
was "deeply concerned" by Nigeria's new law which
"dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association
and expression for all Nigerians".
Kerry said the act "is inconsistent with Nigeria's
international legal obligations and undermines the
democratic reforms and human rights protections
enshrined in its 1999 constitution.
"People everywhere deserve to live in freedom and
equality. No one should face violence or discrimination
for who they are or who they love", Kerry said in a
statement.
Under the new law, anyone in a same-s*x marriage or
union would face up to 14 years in prison, with such
partnerships reached overseas considered void in
Nigeria.
President Goodluck Jonathan signed the law because he
considered it consistent with most Nigerians' views
toward homosexuality, his spokesman, Reuben Abati,
told AFP.
The United States has generally warm relations with
Nigeria but President Barack Obama's administration
has increasingly put a priority on fighting for gay rights
overseas.
In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni has said that he
will not rush into signing a law under which gays
would be jailed after criticism from Obama, Nobel
laureate Desmond Tutu and other global figures. (AFP)
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
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