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Several members of the Obama Administration today have come out expressing strong disagreement and disappointment that Nigeria has signed into law a bill making illegal all same-sex relationships. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had delayed signing the bill, which passed last May. What is being called the “Jail All The Gays” bill provides for penalties of up to 14 years in prison for the “crime†of entering into any “amorous relationship” with a person of the same-sex, or even joining a group that supports LGBT civil rights.
John Kerry expressed “deep concern with Nigeria’s enactment of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.” The U.S. Secretary of State noted the new law “dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association, and expression for all Nigerians.”
Moreover, it 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.
We join with those in Nigeria who appeal for the protection of their fellow citizens’ fundamental freedoms and universal human rights.
And Samantha Power, United States Ambassador to the United Nations offered this via Twitter:
Deeply troubled that #Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan signed anti-#LGBT law. Big setback for human rights for all Nigerians.
— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) January 13, 2014
The bill itself has caused fear among LGBT Nigerians.
“Gay Nigerians, their families, neighbors and loved ones have been in a state of panic since the country’s Senate passed the bill on Dec. 19, and have faced the new year with increasing fear that the bill would be signed into law,” LGBTQ Nation reports.
Nigeria has refused calls from U.S. and European leaders, and organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, asking Jonathan to veto the bill.
Since the bill was first introduced in 2011, anti-gay sentiment and violence has been reportedly on the rise.
In addition to a 14-year prison sentence for gay people, the bill also punishes all Nigerians, forcing them to report on anyone they suspect of being gay. The penalty for not reporting is five years in jail.
Image via US State Dept. on Facebook