President Jonathan signed the same sex marriage (prohibition) bill 2013 into law on January 7.
With the signing of the bill into law, gay couples in Nigeria risk a 14-year jail term.
Also, anyone who operates or participates in gay clubs, societies and organisations directly or indirectly risks a 10-year jail term, same for those who officiate, witness or aid the solemnisation of a same sex marriage.
The signing of the bill into law by the President was in defiance of pressure mounted by Western countries, who are opposed to the law.
The President, in assenting to the law, explained that he was guided by the feelings of Nigerians who are opposed to same sex marriage and the National Assembly, which voted overwhelmingly to pass the bill.
Besides, the President was said to have based his decision by the Nigerian culture, which also abhors same sex marriage.
A statement from the Public Affairs Section of the British High Commission in Nigeria, Abuja, however, said the UK Foreign Secretary, William Hague, who made the position of the UK government public yesterday, criticised assent to the law.
“The UK is a close friend of Nigeria, but we are disappointed that President Jonathan has given his assent to a bill, which will further criminalise same sex relationships in Nigeria. The UK opposes any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
“The bill also directly infringes on fundamental rights of expression and association, which are guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and by Nigeria’s international treaty obligations.
“We are concerned by the prospect this raises of further action against an already marginalised section of society.
“My colleague, Jeremy Wright, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, raised our concerns with the Nigerian Foreign Minister on January 9, and our High Commissioner has raised the issue on a number of occasions with the President and other senior members of the Nigerian Government. We will continue to lobby at the highest levels on this issue,” the statement said.
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who is also the Vice-President of the commission, Catherine Ashton, expressed concern over the new law.
The envoy made the position of the EU public yesterday in a statement.
She said: “I am concerned about the signing into law in Nigeria of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.
“The European Union is opposed to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. It is firmly committed to fundamental human rights and the rule of law in respect of those rights, including freedom of association, conscience and speech and the equality of persons. It supports the respect of human rights in all countries of the world.
“I am, therefore, particularly concerned that some provisions of the Act appear to be in contradiction with those fundamental rights, which are themselves guaranteed by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, and to be inconsistent with the legal obligations enshrined in a number of international agreements to which Nigeria is a party.”
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Tahir Umar, has commended President Jonathan for signing the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act law.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Umar said by signing the law, the President spoke the minds of many Nigerians, who rejected the idea.
He said the proposal also negated the teachings of Islam and the traditions of Prophet Muhammed.
“The institution of marriage, as ordained by Allah and practised by the prophet, is a legally contracted union between a man and a woman.
“Engaging in gay marriage, lesbianism and other forms of marriage which contradict what is laid down in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith, is a major sin before Allah,” he said
Umar described the law as a triumph for the administration, which had been working hard to ensure greater understanding and promotion of peace and harmony among Muslims and Christians.
He said same-sex marriage was an unnecessary distraction capable of breeding discontent in the Nigerian society.
Umar added that the signing of the law coincided with the period when Muslims in the country joined their counterparts all over the world to celebrate Maulud Nabiyyi.
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