Rally to demand repeal of Nigeria’s anti-LGBTI laws
Stand in solidarity with Nigerian LGBTI people next Wednesday
Wednesday 30 September, 1-2pm.
Rally outside the Nigerian High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX (nearest tube stations Charing Cross and Embankment).
Put pressure on the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to uphold LGBTI human rights. We’ll hand in a petition with over 65,000 signatures, urging the repeal of all Nigeria’s anti-LGBT laws.
Let’s make it a rainbow event! Bring your banners, balloons and flags.
Sign up to the Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/510171265810510
You can also sign the petition here: http://goo.gl/anNfCd
This rally is organised by Nigerian lesbian activist Aderonke Apata, with the support of the African LGBTI organisations, African Ranbow Family, Out and Proud Diamond Group, and the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
“Since the insidious 2014 anti-LGBTI law was passed in Nigeria, there have been waves of police arrests and torture, anti-LGBTI mob attacks, public whippings, evictions from homes, harassment and discrimination against ‘suspected’ LGBTIs. Equality advocacy organisations and activists in Nigeria are not spared mistreatment,” said Aderonke Apata.
“Growing up in Nigeria, I was unable to disclose my sexuality, yet unable to hide it. The culture in Nigeria makes it clear that being gay or transgender is a sin, a sentiment that is fuelled by homophobic messages from faith communities, political leaders, families, and schools. I took these messages in, identified with them, and carried the shame of being a lesbian woman in Nigeria. I was arrested, tortured and extorted by the Nigerian Police. I demand a repeal of this toxic law,” she said.
“Under a nineteenth century law imposed by the British colonial administration, male homosexuality is punishable in Nigeria by a sentence of 14 years imprisonment,” added Peter Tatchell, Director of the human rights organisation, the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
“More recently, a draconian new anti-LGBTI law – the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill – was signed into law in January 2014. It is one of the harshest and most punitive of the many laws in nearly 80 countries that criminalise Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people.
“This draconian anti-LGBTI law prohibits same-sex marriage with a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. It also stipulates10 years jail for public displays of same-sex affection and 10 years for membership or support of LGBTI equality and advocacy groups.
“These two repressive laws are a toxic abuse of the human rights of Nigerian LGBTI people. They violate the non-discrimination clause (Article 42) of the Nigerian Constitution, Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and the equality provisions of the Commonwealth Charter, to which Nigeria is a signatory and which the country has pledged to uphold and respect,” said Mr Tatchell.
Further information:
Peter Tatchell
Director, Peter Tatchell Foundation
0207 403 1790
Peter@PeterTatchellFoundation.org
www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org
Aderonke Apata
African Rainbow Family 07711285567
info@AfricanRainbowFamily.org
www.AfricanRainbowFamily.org
ENDS
AFRICAN RAINBOW FAMILY 