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.
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