|
Nigeria's House of Representatives held a public hearing on a new bill seeking to outlaw gay relations.
The bill, which may become law before April's elections, suggests a five-year sentence for anyone ‘found guilty’ of being openly gay or enjoying the many delights of gay sex.
Mild critics say the bill is anti-freedom, less diplomatic observers suggest the new laws amount to an inhumane witch-hunt.
The new measures will also outlaw membership of a gay group, attending a gay meeting or protest, advocating gay equality, donating money to a gay organisation, hosting or visiting a gay website, the publication or possession of gay safer sex advice, renting or selling a property to a gay couple, expressions of same-sex love in letters or emails, attending a same-sex marriage or blessing ceremony, screening or watching a gay movie, taking or possessing photos of a gay couple, and publishing, selling or loaning a gay book or video.
"The bill is going to seriously violate the rights of people. This bill is evil and should not be allowed to see that light of the day," says Alimi Ademola who heads Independent Project Nigeria, a gay rights organisation.
Not surprisingly religious leaders say it will help "protect society's morals and values". The Christian Association of Nigeria (Can), the umbrella body for Nigerian Christians, called for speedy passage of the law, describing same sex unions as "barbaric and shameful".
The National Muslim Centre also condemned gay relations as "immoral, and runs contrary to our cultural and religious values".
Homosexuality is a very dirty word across most of Africa, but South Africa recently broke the mould by legalising gay marriages.
The committee conducting the public hearing say they have received over 100 petitions from rights groups asking that the proposed bill be withdrawn.
"The bill is going to seriously violate the rights of people. This bill is evil and should not be allowed to see that light of the day," says Alimi Ademola who heads Independent Project Nigeria, a gay rights organisation.
George Broadhead, secretary of he Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA), said:
"Persecution is not too strong a word for it. Lives will be lost and terrible injustice legalised if this law is passed. It violates the whole concept of human rights and there can be no doubt that it is being driven and justified by a wave of religious hatred.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (Can), the umbrella body for Nigerian Christians, has called for speedy passage of the law, describing same sex unions as 'barbaric and shameful'. The National Muslim Centre has condemned gay relations as 'immoral, and runs contrary to our cultural and religious values' and backs the legislation.
The Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, whose ambition is to lead the Anglican Communion in place of Rowan William, is also strongly in favour of the legislation. He has shown himself to be a monstous homophobe and his disgusting defamatory comments about gay people add to the flames that this law will ignite against Nigeria's gay population."
The United Nations has warned that the bill would promote the spread of HIV/Aids. "Failing to acknowledge that sex between men will only increase the vulnerability of men - and women - to HIV infection, since men who cannot talk about their sexual orientation are less likely to seek appropriate support services," said Dr Pierre Mpele, the UNAids country co-ordinator in Nigeria. Source: uk.gay.com |
