The Nigerian Senate voted and approved the controversial anti-gay marriage bill that will not only outlaw gay marriage, but also institute even stricter laws and punishments for the nation’s gay and lesbian community, most of whom remain firmly closeted for fear of facing discrimination and abuse.
The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, approved the anti-gay marriage bill which will criminalise gay marriage and make it an act punishable by over a decade in prison.
According to reports, the bill, which seeks to punish gays and lesbians in Nigeria who are already faced with discrimination and abuse, is now making its way to the Nigerian House of Representatives who have to approve the bill before it is sent to President Goodluck Jonathan for his signature and then made a law.
The bill faces little opposition from the Nigerian people, who are largely in support of the nation’s lawmakers in calling for strict punishment for Nigeria’s hidden gay community.
“Such elements in society should be killed,” Sen. Baba Dati said during the debate.
Killing them is off the table, but the new and updated bill will punish gay couples who marry with up to 14 years in prison, while witnesses and supporters of such couples could be sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
Homosexuality is deemed illegal and unseemly in Nigeria. Many of them remain hidden for fear of being physically abused and in the northern part of the country where Shariah law is practiced, homosexuals could be stoned to death.
This pursuit of the new bill contiues, despite threats from the international community – British Prime Minister David Camerorn recently warned that his country might withdraw aid from countries that don’t preserve gay rights.
According to the AP, Senate President David Mark, during the debate, televised live from National Assembly in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, said Nigeria would not bow to international pressure on any legislation.
“Anybody can write to us, but our values are our values,” Mark said. “No country has a right to interfere in the way we make our laws.”
COURTESY: Channels TV (Nigeria)