Foreign Secretary, William Hague has expressed disappointment over the Anti gay laws recently signed into law in Nigeria.
In an official statement released on the government website, the Foreign Secretary said despite the close relationship with Nigeria, Britain was disappointed at the presidential assent given to Same Sex Marriage Bill.
The statement said “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 statement further said the new law infringes on fundamental rights of expression and asociation both of which are guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international treaty obligations.
He said "We are concerned by the prospect this raises of further action against an already marginalised section of society."
The presidential assent to the same sex marriage bill act was granted even though the issue was raised by Minister of State for Justice, Jeremy Wright, when he visited Nigeria recently to sign the Compulsory Prisoner Transfer Agreement with the Nigerian authorities.
William Hague said "My colleague Jeremy Wright, Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, raised our concerns with the Nigerian Foreign Minister on 9 January, 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.”
Britian had continually kicked against laws such as the anti-gay laws that has the potential to limit individual rights and reports say PM David Cameron had threaten to review British aid to Nigeria if the law went ahead.
But in Nigeria, the new law is receiving widespread popularity and persons suspected of practising the illegal act are being arrested.
The Act outlaws same-sex marriages and civil unions, and provides for sentences of up to 14 years in prison for gay couples as punishment.
In addition, the bill forbids the operation of gay clubs, societies or meetings in Nigeria, providing for up to 10 years in prison as punishment.
The Daily Beast on Wednesday reported the arrest of dozens Tuesday as the new law took effect, although activists are reportedly preparing to fight back `amid the atmosphere of intimidation and persecution.'
The Same Sex Marriage Act is set to have far reaching consequences in Nigeria, as it will affect not just people indulging in the act but also those engaged in activities that are seen to be promoting it.
On December 20, 2013, the Ugandan Parliament also passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill ("Kill the Gays bill"), making same sex relationship illegal, but even before then, lesbian and gay relationships have always been loathed in Uganda.
In Uganda, the law was originally proposed for introduction with the death penalty, although the proposal was later dropped for life imprisonment. Reports say President Yoweri Museveni has not signed it into law yet.
The local film industry in Nigeria is expected to be affected and new movies may now have to be reclassified or edited as the case may be, to remove scenes that seem to promote the illegal act.
Foreign films too, many of which are shipped into Nigeria from countries where gay laws are not so hostile, may be affected, perhaps with sanctions, if seen to be promoting gay or lesbian relationships.
Almost all countries in Africa has criminalized same sex relationship except South Africa, where it is legal.
Some countries, in and outside Africa, have actually introduced the death penalty against same sex couples.
Woolwich Online saught confirmation from the Department for Foreign Development (DFID) whether foreign aid to Nigeria will remain in place, despite the anti-gay laws.
For the moment whether British aid to Nigeria will be sustained, in light of the Same Sex Marriage Act remains to be seen.
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