Jubilation as Jonathan signs anti-gay law...Offenders to bag 14 years jail term

Jonathan signing the new law

At last, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday signed into law a bill criminalising gay marriages and relationships, rebuffing Western pressure over same sex rights and provoking criticisms from the United States.

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 the President had delayed signing it into law.

Presidency spokesman, Reuben Abati told Reuters yesterday that the President has signed the bill into law. As in much of sub- Saharan Africa, anti-gay sentiments and persecution of homosexuals are 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 homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence.

United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said the United States 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.“It is inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations and undermines democratic reforms and human rights protections.”

While European countries, most recently France, have moved to offer same-sex couples the same 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 aiddependent nations like Uganda and Malawi. Several Nigerians who spoke with SHOWBIZPLUS, hailed Jonathan for taking the decisive action of signing the anti gay bill into law. There were jubilation in some parts of Nigeria over the new law, especially in churches.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday signed into law a bill criminalising gay marriages and relationships, rebuffing Western pressure over same sex rights and provoking criticism from the United States. 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 the President had delayed signing it into law. Presidency spokesman, Reuben Abati told Reuters yesterday that the President has signed the bill in to law. As in much of sub- Saharan Africa, anti-gay sentiments and persecution of homosexuals are 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 homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence. United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said the United States 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.“It is inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations and undermines democratic reforms and human rights protections.” While European countries, most recently France, have moved to offer same-sex couples the same 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 aiddependent nations like Uganda and Malawi. - See more at: http://thebusinessdispatch.com/president-signs-anti-gay-law-attracts-us-criticism/#sthash.iXN6txjK.dpuf

Jonathan signs anti-gay law, attracts US criticism

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President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday signed into law a bill criminalising gay marriages and relationships, rebuffing Western pressure over same sex rights and provoking criticism from the United States. 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 the President had delayed signing it into law. Presidency spokesman, Reuben Abati told Reuters yesterday that the President has signed the bill in to law. As in much of sub- Saharan Africa, anti-gay sentiments and persecution of homosexuals are 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 homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence. United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said the United States 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.“It is inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations and undermines democratic reforms and human rights protections.” While European countries, most recently France, have moved to offer same-sex couples the same 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 aiddependent nations like Uganda and Malawi.

- See more at: http://thebusinessdispatch.com/president-signs-anti-gay-law-attracts-us-criticism/#sthash.iXN6txjK.dpuf