Disturbing new developments in Nigeria's official war against the gays.
As the legislature of Africa's most populous nation considers draconian new laws that would strip gays and lesbians of all civil rights. New reports say 18 alleged gay men have been arrested and face the death sentence in the northern state of Bauchi:
Judge Malam Tanimu ordered the 18 remanded in prison until a further hearing on August 21 following their arrest on Sunday in a hotel in Bauchi city.
The court heard that the men, who were wearing female clothing, had come to the city from five neighbouring states to celebrate a gay "marriage".
Prosecuting police officer Tadius Boboi said the men's actions had contravened the sharia penal code adopted in Bauchi. [...]
In June an agency tasked with implementing sharia law in Bauchi called on the new state governor to approve three sentences of death by stoning and 40 of amputation passed since 2002 which his predecessor had refused to ratify.
Bauchi is one of 12 Islamic states in northern Nigeria that introduced Sharia law in 2000 and considers homosexuality a capital crime.
Claims of authorities shutting down alleged "gay marriages" have become eerily familiar in Nigerian news reports. Some activists suggests they are scare tactics to create support for proposed comprehensive anti-gay measures that would ban gays from even going out to dinner together. Davis MacIyalla, Nigeria's most prominent gay activist, has launched a campaign to railroad Nigeria's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games in the capital city of Abuja.
18 Face Death Sentence for Homosexual Activities [AFP]
Delegation Lobbies Against Nigerian Venue [Church Times]
Some Background ...
Nigerian Woman Denies "Lesbian Wedding" [R20]
Nigerian Lesbian In Hiding After Reported Wedding [R20]
Nigeria's Homophobia Threatens Bid for Games [R20]
Nigeria One Step Closer to Outlawing Gays [R20]
Gay Nigerians Speak Out [R20]
Nigeria Prepares to Outlaw Gays [R20]
Nigeria to Ban Gays Meeting [R20]
Who is Archbishop Peter Akinola? [R20]
Nigeria's Islamic Sharia Law [R20]
UK Deports Gay Nigerian [R20]
Harsh New Nigerian Laws [R20]
This news is really sick to hear. I wonder what can I do? Perhaps I can call the embassy.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 11 August 2007 at 21:53
Don't they execute you as well for being gay?
Posted by: phil_in_ny | 12 August 2007 at 09:36
The events in Nigeria is becoming scary. Everyday, something new rears its head. I saw the pictures of 2 of those poor soul in ThisDay Newspaper in Nigeria and they looked like they have been humiliated to no end. We cannot continue to keep quiet over this outrage. Something must be done to rein in Nigeria by the international community.
Posted by: kritzmoritz | 20 August 2007 at 13:36