Although Christians and Muslims continue killing each other in Nigeria, there is one thing the two religious sects share - a mean and irrational hatred for homosexuals.
On Tuesday, a bill criminalizing any and all homosexual behavior was passed by the Nigerian Senate. Under the proposed law, anyone found guilty of any publicly display of “same-sex amorous relationships” would receive a 10-year jail term. In addition, anyone advocating for gay rights or gay marriage would also be subject to a 10-year prison sentence. Finally, anyone who dared enter into a same-sex marriage would face 14 years in prison.
The bill must go to the nation's House of Representatives for a vote before President Goodluck Jonathan can sign it into law.
According to Amnesty International, the bill would:
"place a wide range of people at risk of criminal sanctions, including human rights defenders and anyone else -- including friends, families and colleagues -- who stands up for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people in Nigeria,"
British prime minister, David Cameron, has threatened to withhold aid from Nigeria and any other nation violating gays rights. In addition, Canada has condemned the anti-gay bill, and it is expected that all civilized countries will join in the condemnation of this human rights abomination if this barbaric act is ever signed into law.
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issued the following statement:
Canada calls on Nigeria to immediately ensure that all its citizens enjoy equal basic rights.A bill passed by Nigeria’s senate would, if ratified, disregard basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.The Government of Nigeria must protect all Nigerians, regardless of sexual orientation.Through the Commonwealth and other forums, Canada will continue to make this point in the most forceful of terms.
The following is a sample of relevant tweets from Wednesday’s Twitter stream:
In Nigeria you can marry a 13 year old but will get thrown in jail for being homosexual.Amnesty calls on #Nigeriato "scrap" the bill that would "attack basic rights & criminalize relationships between people of the same gender"I pray our politicians will one day stop disgracing nigeria in front of the international publicHomosexuality is a Federal offense in Nigeria.. 14yrs jail time..WTF ?!I hurt and I cry for my Lgbtbrothers and sisters in Nigeria! How and why should out be against the law to openly love who you loveNigeriapassed the f**king bill this morning. Prison for LGBT people and allies alike. I am overwhelmed with sadness.
From a secular viewpoint, Nigeria, like much of Africa, is infected by a homophobia motivated by religious superstition and ignorance. Both Christians and Muslims have infected the country with a disgusting and despicable bigotry against gays and lesbians. It is a human tragedy infecting the entire African continent, brought about by religious ignorance and bigotry. For a secular world, the anti-gay legislation in Nigeria stands as yet another example of the suffering and misery Christianity and Islam continue to promote and foster around the globe.
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