President Goodluck Jonathan has signed the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill 2013 banning gay marriage and same-sex partnerships that has been the subject of international condemnation.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati confirming the development, saying, “I can confirm that the president has signed the bill into law”.
Although Abati did not reveal the date the presidential approval was secured, he did say it happened only this year, adding that the signing was inevitable considering popular disposition towards homosexuality in the country.
“More than 90 percent of Nigerians are opposed to same sex marriage. So, the law is in line with our cultural and religious beliefs as a people,” he said. “And I think that this law is made for a people and what government has done is consistent with the preference of its environment”.
Earlier, Amnesty International had urged Jonathan to turn down the “discriminatory” bill, adding that there would be “catastrophic consequences for Nigeria’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community”.
The law stipulates that anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union will be imprisoned for 14 years while such partnerships would be voided. Also, anyone who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations or who directly or indirectly makes a public show of a same-sex relationship will break the law, and consequently earn up to 10 years in prison.
Responding through Secretary of State John Kerry, the United States criticised Nigeria for approving a law that would “curtail basic human rights”. Kerry expressed deep concerns by the law, saying it would dangerously restrict freedom of assembly, association and expression for all Nigerians.
“The law is inconsistent with Nigeria’s international legal obligations and undermines the democratic reforms and human rights protections enshrined in its 1999 constitution,” he said.
“People everywhere deserve to live in freedom and equality. No one should face violence or discrimination for who they are or who they love”.
