Nigeria: Urgent need of Support

Dear Forum friends

We have been asked by Arc International to contact our Foreign ministers to ask them to intervene in the proposed law in Nigeria which will make it illegal for LGBT people to meet together, or even for anyone to advocate LGBT rights. This will have a serious consequence for the millions of LGBT people in that country, who already have a difficult time. I have already written to the UK Foreign Secretary, I can pass her email address to anyone from the UK.

It has to be communication at Government level, not individual letters to Nigeria, so if you think your Foreign Ministry might be sympathetic, please write to them immediately. There is a sample letter at the bottom of this email, which you can edit as necessary.

Please also write to your church leaders at national level if they might have contacts with senior Nigerian church leaders.

And PRAY.

Brenda

What's up?

It appears that the Nigerian Bill, which would effectively criminalize public and private acts of same-sex expression and affection, including direct and indirect advocacy and support, continues to move forward in both the Nigerian House of Representatives and Senate, and could be adopted at any time.  There is some chance that it may be rejected by the Senate, and a new public hearing before the Judiciary Committee of the Senate should be scheduled for next week.  The Bill would severely undermine the human rights and safety of members of the Nigerian LGBT communities, would affect civil liberties in the country and could be used as a tool for political repression more generally.

What can I do?

It is crucial for supportive governments to express their concerns directly to the Nigeria's State institutions about the negative impact that adoption of the Bill would have upon international perceptions of Nigeria's approach to human rights, the democratic process and basic principles of fairness, the rule of law and non-discrimination.  This is especially important at the moment because the Nigerian Senate is more sensitive to these issues and could positively respond to external pressures.  We have provided contact details for key Nigerian Senators below, to assist your government in approaching them.  (Please do not write to these e-mail addresses as an individual - colleagues in Nigeria advise that that would likely be counterproductive and have the opposite effect.)  If your government is supportive of human rights for LGBT people, please contact your Foreign Ministry and urge them to raise these concerns directly with the Nigerian Senate and government.

How can I do that?

You can find contact details for your Foreign Ministry at: http://www.ssrc.org/gsc/datasphere/ministries.htm.

A sample message you can send to your Foreign Ministry by fax or e-mail is set out below. Feel free to adapt or customize this message in whatever way you feel may be most persuasive to your government.

Thank you for your urgent support!

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Sample message to your Foreign Ministry:

I am writing to seek your support on an urgent matter.

We understand that the Nigerian Bill, which would criminalize public and private acts of same-sex expression, affection and advocacy, continues to move forward in both the Nigerian House of Representatives and Senate, and could be adopted at any time.

This Bill has already generated significant international concern.  On February 23, 2007, a joint statement was issued by four independent UN experts: the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, and the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

In their statement, these experts express the view that the Bill violates international law, and "heightens the potential for stigmatization, discrimination and intolerance against individuals for their actual and imputed sexual orientation or their gender identity, raising serious concerns regarding their protection.  ... The Bill is likely to undermine HIV/AIDS education and prevention efforts by driving stigmatized communities underground".  The concerns of these UN experts were heightened by Nigeria's continued defence of the death penalty for homosexuality. UNHCR Web Site 

The implication and the aims of the bill are so broad that it could easily be used to promote censorship or as a punitive tool that would undermine the democratic process of the country. The way the debate in both Chambers of the Parliament has been accelerated raises concerns: this situation highlights the lack of transparency and serious risk for democracy in Nigeria, especially considering that the Bill potentially erodes civil liberties and human rights at one of the most delicate moments for the democratic life of the country.

In view of the urgency of the situation, a strong response from the international community is imperative.  As a government which supports human rights and non-discrimination, we urge you to contact Nigeria to express deep concern about the negative impact that adoption of the Bill would have upon international perceptions of Nigeria's approach to human rights, the democratic process and basic principles of fairness, the rule of law and non-discrimination.

Please copy your expression of concern to the following members of the Senate and the Government:

President of the Senate:
Senator Ken
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone
P.M.B. 141 Abuja
Email

Deputy President of the Senate:
Senator Ibrahim
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone
P.M.B. 141 Abuja
Email

Chairman of the Judiciary Committee
Senator Oserheimen
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone
P.M.B. 141 Abuja
Email

Vice Chairman of the Judiciary Committee
Senator Julius
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone
P.M.B. 141 Abuja
Email

President of the Republic of Nigeria
His Excellency Olusegum Obasanjo
The Presidency
Aso Rock
Abuja
Nigeria
FAX: 234-9-314-1061 or 234-9-234-7546

Federal Minister of Justice:
Chief Bayo Ojo
Federal Secretariat Towers
(5th & 10th floors)
Shehu Shagari Way, Central Area
P.M.B. 192, Abuja
FAX: 234-9-5235194

cc. Members of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate:

Senator Udoma Udoma: Email

Senator Dalhatu Tafida: Email

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba: Email

Senator Tawar Wada: Email

Senator Abubakar Sodangi: Email

Senator Saidu Dansadau: Email

Senator Iyabode Anisulowo: Email

Senator Timothy Adudu: Email

Senator Ike Ekweremadu: Email

Thank you for any support you can bring to this urgent matter, and we would appreciate being advised of the response.

Sincere regards.