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Nigerian senate passes anti-gay bill

  • 30-11-2011 10:51am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,327 ✭✭✭


    The Nigerian senate has passed a bill banning same-sex marriages, defying a threat from Britain to withhold aid from nations violating gay rights.
    The bill by Africa's most populous nation calls for a 14-year sentence for anyone convicted of homosexuality. Anyone who aids or "abets" same-sex unions faces 10 years in prison, a provision that could target rights groups.
    Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries based on remnants of sodomy laws introduced during the British colonial era and perpetuated by cultural beliefs.
    Punishments across the continent range from fines to years in prison.
    "This is something we raise continually and ... we're also saying that British aid should have more strings attached in terms of 'do you persecute people for their faith or their Christianity or do you persecute people for their sexuality?" Cameron said in a statement.
    "We don't think that's acceptable. So look, this is an issue where we want movement, we're pushing for movement, we're prepared to put some money behind what we believe."
    Soon after his remarks earlier this month, a flurry of African governments released defiant statements accusing him of undermining their sovereignty and culture.
    Last week, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, known for his anti-gay rhetoric, called the prime minister "satanic" for demanding gay rights.
    "Do not get tempted into that (homosexuality) madness. You are young people. If you go that direction, we will punish you severely," state media quoted him as saying. "It is condemned by nature. It is condemned by insects and that is why I have said they are worse than pigs and dogs."
    Mugabe's comments were the latest in a series of strident remarks by African leaders.
    Ugandan government spokesman Fred Opolot described Cameron's remarks as "patronizing, colonial rhetoric," saying the nation is busy expanding its oil sector to reduce its reliance on aid.

    "I will never initiate or support any attempt to legalize homosexuality in Ghana," he told journalists this month, according to state media. "As government we will abide by the principles as contained in our Constitution, which is supreme."
    Tanzanian officials decried the remarks, saying they "can lead to broken relations" between the two nations.
    Cameron's statements also sparked a fiery debate among Africans on social media, where opinions were divided.
    "At first, I was upset. I thought, how dare he treats us like this?' said Nigel Mugamu, 33, who lives in Harare, Zimbabwe.
    "Then I thought about it," the businessman said. "The U.K. economy is struggling. They spend a lot of money on aid. Given what's happening economically. Maybe it's a nice way of saying -- we can't afford it?"
    Mugamu said the threat should be an opportunity to open up a dialogue on an issue considered a taboo in African culture.
    "Now is the time to talk about it ... to get our house in order. Lets use this opportunity to say, 'OK, if we didn't have aid, how would we survive?" he said. "Let's talk about gay rights issues. Let's turn this into a national -- African discussion."
    Others said while denying aid would be extreme, the continent has a long way to go when it comes to human rights.
    "It would be ridiculous if that mentality -- pride from leaders in both sides -- got in the way of millions benefiting from aid," said Nambi Sharon, a Stanford University doctorate student who lives in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
    However, she said, the threat thrusts the issue to the forefront.
    "We need minority rights in the continent. There's a part of me that knows this threat will not have much of impact. But in a way, it's an achievement, however small. Despite the differences in opinion ... it has brought the conversation out in the open."
    As the prejudices rage on, gays and lesbians in the continent lead fidgety lives, including forming underground movements that change locations regularly for safety issues.
    Sexual violence against lesbians has become so common in South Africa, the nation has coined a new term "corrective rape" to describe it. South Africa -- one of the more progressive nations in the continent on the issue -- was the first African country to impose a constitutional ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation.
    Cameron said he does not expect a sudden change in mindsets, and admits it will take time.

    Source

    This is disgusting. 14 years in prison if gays fulfill their sexual desire because backward society aren't comfortable with it. Surely this should be a violation of international law somehow at this day and age.


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,466 ✭✭✭Snakeblood


    Sykk wrote: »
    Source

    This is disgusting. 14 years in prison if gays fulfill their sexual desire because backward society aren't comfortable with it. Surely this should be a violation of international law somehow at this day and age.

    I AM AGAINST THIS IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, EVEN THOUGH BLAFRICANS ARE DOING IT, AND IT MAY AFFECT THOSE OF THE WHITE RACE.*

    *I hope you're watching this Computer Sci


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,512 ✭✭✭Ellis Dee


    It would be interesting to know whether such extreme homophobic attitudes are a purely indigenous African thing or due largely or at least in part to the influence of the Christian and Islamic missionaries who have been spreading their poisonous ideologies in the continent for so long.:confused::confused:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 11,582 ✭✭✭✭TheZohanS


    This is going to create a massive poo poo storm.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,559 ✭✭✭✭AnonoBoy


    Mugabe wrote:
    It is condemned by insects

    What you been smoking Mugabe?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭foxyboxer


    Once the Insects have made their case then I'm afraid we must accept it. :rolleyes:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭foxyboxer


    Last week, Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, known for his anti-gay rhetoric, called the prime minister "satanic" for demanding gay rights.
    "Do not get tempted into that (homosexuality) madness. You are young people. If you go that direction, we will punish you severely," state media quoted him as saying. "It is condemned by nature. It is condemned by insects and that is why I have said they are worse than pigs and dogs."


    Sorry there Bobby, my dog has more morals than you.


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    Joy - another country I now can not visit with my partners because we are in a relationship that would get some or all of us locked up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,775 ✭✭✭✭kfallon




  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,980 ✭✭✭Dotrel


    kfallon wrote: »

    That guy is suspiciously knowledgeable about da poo-poo.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,272 ✭✭✭Captain Graphite


    Sadly harsh anti-gay laws in Africa is nothing new or surprising. They have the death penalty for homosexuality in Somalia and Mauritania, and possibly a few others. :( I'm generally not a fan of Cameron but I totally agree with him in this regard; why should his government hand over aid to a country that has such gross violations of human rights?
    foxyboxer wrote: »
    Once the Insects have made their case then I'm afraid we must accept it. :rolleyes:

    http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lbtqjlfP7B1qdoghio1_500.jpg


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,739 ✭✭✭✭starbelgrade


    why should his government hand over aid to a country that has such gross violations of human rights?


    Why should they hand over aid at all? It's a complete waste of money & does fuck all good.

    It's high time Europe grew out of it's patronising "penny for the black baby" syndrome.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,763 ✭✭✭✭Crann na Beatha


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,779 ✭✭✭Spunge


    kfallon wrote: »

    wow, is this guy for real ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,763 ✭✭✭✭Crann na Beatha


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40 Skulldigger


    Countries should stop giving aid to governments who pass these backward laws.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,295 ✭✭✭✭Duggy747


    Africa have a hell of a lot more problems than a few gays.

    Like witch-hunting and necklacing those who apparently turn into snails and terrorise villages.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,938 ✭✭✭mackg


    Joy - another country I now can not visit with my partners because we are in a relationship that would get some or all of us locked up.

    what sort of relationship you in? Sounds interesting to say the least!:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 810 ✭✭✭Fear Uladh


    Hey come on, just because they're Nigerian doesn't mean they are bad people.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,679 ✭✭✭Freddie59


    Why should they hand over aid at all? It's a complete waste of money & does fuck all good.

    It's high time Europe grew out of it's patronising "penny for the black baby" syndrome.

    Indeed. Is Nigeria not a relatively wealthy country? Ah yes, a penny for the black babies. Turned out to be an airfare.:rolleyes:


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,548 Mod ✭✭✭✭Amirani


    Duggy747 wrote: »
    Africa have a hell of a lot more problems than a few gays.

    Like witch-hunting and necklacing those who apparently turn into snails and terrorise villages.

    Oppression is oppression.


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  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    mackg wrote: »
    what sort of relationship you in? Sounds interesting to say the least!:D

    This kind. The idea that a visit to Nigeria would result in arrests is not exactly a nice one. I guess it will just have to go on the "places not to visit once or again" list.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,699 ✭✭✭ronaneire


    I wonder what the ex Lord Mayor of Naas makes of this :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,513 ✭✭✭Ray Palmer


    Ellis Dee wrote: »
    It would be interesting to know whether such extreme homophobic attitudes are a purely indigenous African thing or due largely or at least in part to the influence of the Christian and Islamic missionaries who have been spreading their poisonous ideologies in the continent for so long.:confused::confused:
    Pretty good point.

    The thing that bugs me is that there are a lot of places with homophopic attitudes and many people from such places now live in Ireland. They aren't exactley shy about saying it either. Try working with somebody who beleives the poo poo speech.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,397 ✭✭✭Paparazzo


    Wonder how many Nigerians around the world that are about to be deported home will all of a sudden become gay?


  • Posts: 0 [Deleted User]


    So does that mean all the Nigerian gays will come over here???!!!!


    QUICK SOMEONE CALL THE DAILY MAIL!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 875 ✭✭✭triseke


    I actually can't believe that this has happened. Its sad that in 2011, there are places and people that still subscribe to this backward way of thinking.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,739 ✭✭✭✭starbelgrade


    Freddie59 wrote: »
    Indeed. Is Nigeria not a relatively wealthy country?

    It's one of the poorest countries in the world.

    However, mismanagement and corruption on the part of the government squandered the nation's wealth, and fostered an atmosphere of violence prevents many companies investing there.

    Despite that, the top 10% of earners in the country keep over half the wealth created, while the bottom 50% share about 15% between them.

    The country doesn't need aid - like many other African countries what it really needs is a severe political overhaul.

    Freddie59 wrote: »
    Ah yes, a penny for the black babies. Turned out to be an airfare.rolleyes.gif

    People might complain about Nigerian refugees in the country but seem to have no problem with accepting much needed doctors, lawyers etc from the part of their population that is highly educated.

    Some Nigerians are a drain on the country's resources, but that's really only half the story.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭foxyboxer


    Veles wrote: »
    The haters will love this
    Black gay Nigerians flooding these shores en mass!
    Sounds like a Daily Mail title too :(

    WE'RE HERE! WE'RE QUEER! WE'RE ON SOCIAL WEL-FARE!

    :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,013 ✭✭✭kincsem


    When will they pass an anti-begging email bill?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,650 ✭✭✭sensibleken


    Anti-gay Bill is such an asshole!


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    Gawd help the thick sods!
    The Nigerian government is nearly as bad as the Iranian one!

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-483746/We-dont-gays-Iran-Iranian-president-tells-Ivy-League-audience.html

    "'We don't have any gays in Iran" (2007)

    LOL


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,779 ✭✭✭Spunge


    Biggins wrote: »
    Gawd help the thick sods!
    The Nigerian government is nearly as bad as the Iranian one!

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-483746/We-dont-gays-Iran-Iranian-president-tells-Ivy-League-audience.html

    "'We don't have any gays in Iran" (2007)

    LOL

    "But we do have a crap load of trannies"

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transsexuality_in_Iran


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,132 ✭✭✭Killer Pigeon


    foxyboxer wrote: »
    WE'RE HERE! WE'RE QUEER! WE'RE ON SOCIAL WEL-FARE!

    :)

    Rhyming fail.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 795 ✭✭✭smegmar


    Countries should stop giving aid to governments who pass these backward laws.

    So it's alright for them to starve to death because they have different values from you.....?

    There is alot of peaching in the western world that everyone MUST conform to our ideology and morality, it's basically cultural war. If they think that way so let them, we still have a duty to protect human life where ever it is irregardless of whether or not they conform to your views.

    The basis of a truly free enlightened society is the principle that "I disagree with what you say, but I'll fight to the death for your right to say it."


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,528 ✭✭✭foxyboxer


    Rhyming fail.


    WE'RE HERE! WE'RE QUEER! WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE BEARS!

    ;)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 35,514 ✭✭✭✭efb


    Value? Killing someone for being gay?
    What if there value was killing a woman for having pre marital sex?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 35,514 ✭✭✭✭efb


    foxyboxer wrote: »
    WE'RE HERE! WE'RE QUEER! WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE BEARS!

    ;)
    Send the bears my way! RAAR!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,128 ✭✭✭✭Oranage2


    "allo sir, I am a gay Nigerian and my bank account has been frozen"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,032 ✭✭✭DWCommuter


    Veles wrote: »
    The haters will love this
    Black gay Nigerians flooding these shores en mass!
    Sounds like a Daily Mail title too :(

    Naas says no.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,084 ✭✭✭Grumpypants


    When i read these stories i'm glad we live in a progressive forward thinking country where gay people are free to marry .............


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,080 ✭✭✭✭Tusky


    14 years in prison for being gay...very sad to think that people will actually be jailed for such a long period of time for this. Very sad - all aid should be cut to the country. How can any Western Government financially support them is mind-boggling.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,788 ✭✭✭✭krudler


    Why should they hand over aid at all? It's a complete waste of money & does fuck all good.

    It's high time Europe grew out of it's patronising "penny for the black baby" syndrome.

    this really, aid is given to countries that are beyond corrupt and probably never goes to who its meant to. really is a clusterfcuk of a continent.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,072 ✭✭✭PeterIanStaker


    I'm sure some Americons will send them over a planeload of bibles now.

    [Sarcasm]That'll really help. [/Sarcasm]


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 35,602 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    So as a solution to gayness, they are going to lock a load of gay men up together for 14 years.

    Great reasoning there lads. Keep it up.

    Muppets.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 34,567 ✭✭✭✭Biggins


    o1s1n wrote: »
    So as a solution to gayness, they are going to lock a load of gay men up together for 14 years.

    Great reasoning there lads. Keep it up.

    Muppets.

    Speaking of muppets: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/head-of-italian-players-association-tells-gay-footballers-to-stay-in-the-closet-293012-Nov2011/


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 35,514 ✭✭✭✭efb


    I don't donate to any religious charities - bible with your plumpinut ?

    UNICEF gets my forgien aid


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 588 ✭✭✭MisterEpicurus


    If they passed the 'Anti-Catholicism Bill', the contents of the bill including;

    - Promotion of the use of Condoms
    - Guaranteeing the rights of Homosexuals

    ...then it would be much more fulfilling for the country in every sense.

    This current backward system has always been exacerbated by Christianity but as usual, you only receive silence from the church.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,218 ✭✭✭✭Bannasidhe


    Ellis Dee wrote: »
    It would be interesting to know whether such extreme homophobic attitudes are a purely indigenous African thing or due largely or at least in part to the influence of the Christian and Islamic missionaries who have been spreading their poisonous ideologies in the continent for so long.:confused::confused:

    Indigenous African only if while we weren't looking Russia has been slowly but surely moving south-east...
    In November 2011 St Petersburg shocked the world. The legislative assembly approved, in its first reading, a bill which outlawed the promotion of homosexuality, transsexuality and paedophilia to minors. The passage of the bill provoked a quick reaction from local LGBT activists, who organised several protests against the initiative. It also mobilised the international community. The bill was condemned by MEPs, the US state department and thousands of people from around the world, who signed an online petition against its implementation.
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/nov/26/russian-anti-gay-bill-medieval-barbarity

    Also not sure in the Russian case missionaries of any religion can be blamed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,573 ✭✭✭pragmatic1


    The poorer a nation, the more conservative. Anywhere gays, women and other groups are discriminated tend to be complete shyteholes.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,311 ✭✭✭✭weldoninhio


    To play devils advocate here, what right have we to tell another country what they can or can't do?? Who is to say that we are right??


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