The European Parliament has called on Nigeria to reject a new bill which would further threaten the wellbeing of local and visiting LGBT people.
The Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill was first announced in 2011 seeking to punish those in a same-sex union with 14 years imprisonment and has since been amended to include 10 years imprisonment for anyone aiding or witnessing such unions.
If the bill is successful it threatens to punish not only Nigeria citizens but aid workers and embassy workers who do not have diplomatic protection, such as embassy technicians.
The resolution by the European Parliament calls “on the Nigerian Parliament to reject the ‘Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill’ which, if passed, would put LGBT people – both Nigerian nationals and foreigners – at serious risk of violence and arrest.”
The resolution additionally calls for the abolition of all current legislation which criminalises homosexuality, including punishments by stoning.
Co-president of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on LGBT Rights, Michael Cashman, said Nigeria needed to follow the examples set by other African nations.
“Nigeria is already among the world’s top oppressors of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Why such a law now?” he said.
“Nigeria needs to follow the example of countries like Rwanda, Kenya or South Africa, which prove African nations don’t need to persecute the vulnerable in order to strive.”
Ulrike Lunacek, also co-president of the LBGT Intergroup, added that the Nigerian law makers should focus on tackling other issues affecting the nation.
“No group has ever called for same-sex marriage in Nigeria; our fellow lawmakers should stop obsessing about citizens’ private lives, and start tackling the dire socio-economic situation in Nigeria,” Lunacek said.
“Our Nigerian sisters and brothers have the European Parliament’s full solidarity in these difficult times.”
Similar laws in Nigeria have previously been withdrawn in 2006 and again in 2008.