Ben Richardson

Professor Craig

World Politics

30 November 2011

Nigerian Anti-Gay Bill

Nigeria’s senate passed a bill demanding a fourteen-year prison sentence for anyone found guilty of homosexuality. Needless to say, the bill was vehemently opposed internationally; in fact, the British government has threatened to withhold aid from the country if the bill is signed into law (Purefoy).

Britain’s threat was met with outrage in Africa, where it is seen as a colonial violation of their sovereignty. It’s an interesting point, especially considering that many African nations have anti-gay laws that are vestiges of the colonization of the continent. Many African leaders stated, in response to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks, that they are working to expand their economies toward the end that they might become less reliant on foreign aid.

Another concern of critics of the bill is that it could target nongovernmental rights groups. The bill also includes a ten-year sentence for anyone found to be aiding or abetting in a homosexual marriage. The NGO’s are fighting a losing battle to begin with. As in many other African countries, homosexuality has been illegal in Nigeria for years (Ibukun). In fact, in northern states dominated by Shari’a law, homosexual activity is punishable by death by stoning.

South Africa is the first African nation to legalize same-sex marriage, and yet even there, anti-gay violence is a huge problem. South Africa is the birthplace of the term "corrective rape," the process by which lesbian women are raped to "cure" them of their homosexuality.

NGO's are also concerned about the impact the bill might have on the prominence of AIDS in Nigeria. Although Nigeria has a relatively low AIDS rate for an African country, its large population means it has the third largest number of HIV positive citizens in the world (“HIV and AIDS in Nigeria”). Gay rights groups are worried that the HIV/AIDS situation could deteriorate if they are prevented from maintaining their treatment efforts.

So how does a country like Britain decide to discourage this bill by threatening to withhold aid from Nigeria? First, there is an interesting transnational advocacy network in play. British citizens have organized protests in opposition to the bill, including “kiss-ins” (Gray).

Other European countries have opposed the bill, and tried to help by allowing victims of anti-gay violence to take refuge within their borders. Britain's policy would be far more aggressive, so much so that some have expressed concerns that it could result in increased targeting of homosexuals. It also risks alienating their African allies. Ghana's President John Atta Mills has made it clear that he does not want to see homosexuality legalized in Ghana, even if it would save his share of foreign aid (Purefoy).

Cameron insists that he is willing to risk these consequences. Britain has demonstrated that protecting human rights is more important than some of their interests abroad. It will be interesting to see if Britain follows through, because if successful, it could lead to more similarly liberal policies in the struggle to promote the defense of human rights in Africa.

Gray, Stephen. “London campaigners to stage kiss-in over Nigeria’s anti-gay draft law.” PinkNews 14 Nov. 2011. Web 30 Nov. 2011.

Ibukun, Yinka. “Nigeria moves to ban, criminalize gay marriage.” Associated Press 22 Nov. 2011. Web 30 Nov. 2011.

Purefoy, Christian. “Nigerian senate passes anti-gay bill, defying British aid threat.” CNN 30 Nov. 2011. Web 30 Nov. 2011.

“HIV and AIDS in Nigeria.” Avert. Web 30 Nov. 2011.