New law bans same-sex marriage

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP):

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT has signed a law that bans same-sex marriage and criminalises homosexual associations, societies and meetings, with penalties of up to 14 years in jail.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act on Monday that was signed by President Goodluck Jonathan and dated January 7.

It was unclear why the law's passage has been shrouded in secrecy. The copy obtained from the House of Representatives in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, showed it was signed by those lawmakers and senators on December 17, though no announcement was made.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday the United States is "deeply concerned" by a law that "dangerously restricts freedom of assembly, association, and expression for all Nigerians". Nigeria is one of the top crude oil suppliers to the United States.

gay clubs banned

It is now a crime to have a meeting of gays, or to operate or go to a gay club, society or organisation.

In a recent interview, Olumide Makanjuola, executive director of the Initiative for Equality in Nigeria, had said: "If that bill passes, it will be illegal for us to even be holding this conversation."

The new law says, "A person who registers, operates or participates in gay clubs, societies or organisations, or directly or indirectly makes public show of same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of 10 years."

Anyone convicted of entering into a same-sex marriage contract or civil union faces up to 14 years' imprisonment.

Nigeria already has a law inherited from British colonisers that makes homosexual sex illegal in the West African nation. In the areas in Nigeria's north where Islamic Shariah law is enforced, gays and lesbians can face death by stoning.

Makanjuloa said those who will suffer most under the law are poor gay Nigerians. Many rich ones already have left the country, or say they will fly elsewhere to have sex, she said.

The court of the European Union recently ruled that laws such as that passed in Nigeria could provide grounds for political asylum.

A spokesman for the British High Commission in Nigeria said: "The UK opposes any form of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation." The spokesman, traditionally not identified by name, echoed Kerry's concerns about freedom of expression, saying the law "infringes upon fundamental rights of expression and association which are guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and by international agreements to which Nigeria is a party".