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LequteMan
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Human Rights Watch in a letter by its Executive Director, Kenneth Roth, has urged President Barack Obama to raise critical human rights challenges in Nigeria with President Muhammadu Buhari, who is set to arrive Washington, DC, today for a high-level visit.
HRW said Obama should encourage Buhari to keep his commitment to ensure that Nigerian government security forces respect human rights, end the country's endemic corruption that has deprived many Nigerians of their basic rights and also repeal the anti-gay law.
"In a country where LGBT rights were already under threat, the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Law, which President Goodluck Jonathan ratified in January 2014, has entrenched discrimination even further.
"The law could inhibit the right to health by criminalizing outreach to LGBT groups.
It says the "vaguely worded" law contradicts Nigeria’s Constitution, as well as its obligations under regional and international human rights treaties.
"Given the high priority your administration has assigned to LGBT issues, we urge you to call on Buhari to repeal the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill." HRW told Obama.
Click here to read letter
HRW said Obama should encourage Buhari to keep his commitment to ensure that Nigerian government security forces respect human rights, end the country's endemic corruption that has deprived many Nigerians of their basic rights and also repeal the anti-gay law.
"In a country where LGBT rights were already under threat, the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Law, which President Goodluck Jonathan ratified in January 2014, has entrenched discrimination even further.
"The law could inhibit the right to health by criminalizing outreach to LGBT groups.
It says the "vaguely worded" law contradicts Nigeria’s Constitution, as well as its obligations under regional and international human rights treaties.
"Given the high priority your administration has assigned to LGBT issues, we urge you to call on Buhari to repeal the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill." HRW told Obama.
Click here to read letter
