Nigeria Arrests Dozens as Anti-Gay Law Comes into Force
Owen Bowcott of The Guardian reports, “Dozens of gay men are reported to have been arrested across northern Nigeria as police begin to enforce punitive new laws … Last week Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, signed the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, which provides penalties of up to 14 years in jail for a gay marriage and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for membership or encouragement of gay clubs, societies and organisations.” Secretary of State John Kerry publicly condemned the law, but Reuben Abati, spokesman of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, said, “This is a law that is in line with the people’s cultural and religious inclination. So it is a law that is a reflection of the beliefs and orientation of Nigerian people.”