Nigerian security services and the
police are harassing and intimidating some gay activists in the country for
defending the rights of gays and lesbians, a group said in a statement on
Sunday, a month after lawmakers outlawed homosexuality in Nigeria.
A bill to outlaw gay marriage and
crackdown on gay rights activists as well as criminalise public displays of
affection between same-sex couples was passed by the Nigerian House of
Representatives on 30 May.
The House of Representatives had
unanimously approved the bill which provides for jail terms of up to 14 years
for gay marriage.
It also set out a 10-year sentence
for “any person who directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex
amorous relationship”.
But Nigerian gay activists under the
umbrella of ‘Our Right Defense’ said they decided to issue a statement after a
meeting in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
“We have in Abuja, Nigeria, again
voiced out opposition on the undemocratic attack meted on our members and the
Nigerian people over sexuality,” the group said in a statement signed by Olasunkanmi
Azeezt O., K. Michael Olanrewaju, and Babatunde Samsondeen.
The group said several of its
members face harassment and intimidation even as some of them have been
arrested by security forces for simply expressing its feelings on human rights
violation in the country.
“Everyone should have the liberty to
life and choice of living to enhance development and to promote and
acceptability by United Nations on universal declaration for freedom expression
and choice for all nationality and the world at large,” the statement read.
The group said among those who have
been declared wanted are Lizzy betty, Precious Rita, Penu Koffi Z, Orilonise
Hakeem I, Anisere Olaniran A., Egwabor Felix, Adesanmi Simeon and Taiwo
Olorunmako.
The group also lamented the inability
of the Nigerian government to judiciously utilise the nation’s economic gains
for development as well as for fair and equal distribution of national
resources.
Source: PMNews
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