The European
Union’s Managing Director for Africa, Dr Nicholas Westcott, stated this week in
Abuja that the EU won’t impose its stand on same sex marriage on Nigeria, but
it was concerned about the human rights of homosexuals in the country following
the signing into law of the same-sex Prohibition Act.
“We are not
telling Nigeria what kind of legislation it should have, that is for Nigerian
people,” he said. “We are not advocating that homosexuality or same sex
marriage should be recognised. We are not trying to impose our morality or our
culture; Nigeria has its culture, Nigeria has its approach of doing things and
there should be mutual respect.
"But we are
concerned about the human rights and freedoms of all Nigerians as enshrined in
Nigeria's own constitution and as enshrined in international conventions to
which Nigeria is a party.”
Wescott said the
EU was concerned that the new act will impinge on the freedom of expression,
freedom of association and other freedoms that all Nigerians should enjoy.
"I think all
minorities will be concerned about that, not just gay community. It will be for
Nigeria to respond to this concerns but I have to express them.
Catherine Ashton,
the Vice President of the EU said, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, that the
law went against the international agreements that Nigeria was a party to.
"I am
concerned about the signing into law in Nigeria of the same sex Marriage
Prohibition Act. The European Union is opposed to discrimination on the ground
of sexual orientation and is firmly committed to human rights and the rule of
law in respect of those rights.”
The British
government also expressed disappointment over President Goodluck Jonathan's
assent to the same sex marriage Bill, which was signed into law on Monday and
outlaws same-sex marriages with 14-year jail penalty and up to 10 years for
membership of gay rights organisations.
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