Dozens of gay men have been arrested in northern Nigeria under a draconian
anti-gay law that makes same-sex marriage a crime punishable by up to 14
years in jail, human rights activists say.
The law was signed in secret by members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives
in Abuja on December 17 and by the president on January 7, although there
was no public announcement.
The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act criminalizes same-sex marriage and
provides for up to 14 years in jail. Membership or support of gay
organizations, associations or clubs carries a penalty of up to 10 years’
imprisonment.
The new law reflects a highly religious and conservative society that largely
considers homosexuality a deviation. In areas of northern Nigeria law is
enforced by Islamic Shariah courts and homosexuals can be stoned to death.
Dorothy Aken’Ova of Nigeria’s International Center for Reproductive Health and
Sexual Rights said that police in Bauchi state have drawn up a list of 168
allegedly gay men, 38 of whom have been taken into custody so far.
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