US slams Nigeria for same-sex marriage

WASHINGTON – The United States on Monday
criticized Nigeria for approving a law that
punishes same-sex marriage with prison, saying
the move would curtail basic human rights.
Secretary of State John Kerry said the United
States was "deeply concerned" by Nigeria's new
law which "dangerously restricts freedom of
assembly, association and expression for all
Nigerians."
Kerry said the act "is inconsistent with Nigeria's
international legal obligations and undermines the
democratic reforms and human rights protections
enshrined in its 1999 constitution."
"People everywhere deserve to live in freedom and
equality. No one should face violence or
discrimination for who they are or who they love,"
Kerry said in a statement.
Under the new law, anyone in a same-sex
marriage or union would face up to 14 years in
prison, with such partnerships reached overseas
considered void in Nigeria.
File: Jonathan and Obama
President Goodluck Jonathan signed the law
because he considered it consistent with most
Nigerians' views toward homosexuality, his
spokesman, Reuben Abati, told AFP.
The United States has generally warm relations
with Nigeria but President Barack Obama's
administration has increasingly put a priority on
fighting for gay rights overseas.
In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni has said
that he will not rush into signing a law under
which gays would be jailed after criticism from
Obama, Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu and other
global figures.(AFP)