GAY RIGHTS: You Are Putting The Freedom Of Nigerians At Risk - Westcott

The European Union Managing Director for Africa, Dr. Nicholas Westcott, has expressed concerns that the Anti-gay Act signed by the President, Goodluck Jonathan, contravenes human rights provisions and puts the fundamental freedom of all Nigerian people at risk.
Westcott stressed that the freedom of expression, the freedom of association, etc. are all being threatened by this Act alone.
"I think all minorities will be concerned about that, not just gay community, but all minorities, to respect their freedom guaranteed by international convention, by Nigeria’s constitution. It will be for Nigeria to respond to this concerns but I have to express them.
“It was a concern shared by all and I represented my boss.  Catherine Aston has expressed concern in a statement already with you today.

"We believe that care needs to be taken to preserve some freedoms of all minorities in Nigeria. They should be protected as provided in the constitution.”
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, said the law was at variance with international agreements to which Nigeria is a party.
“I am concerned about the signing into law in Nigeria of the same sex Marraige Prohibition Act.  The European Union is opposed to discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation.
“It is firmly committed to human rights and rule of law in respect of those rights, including freedom of association, conscience and speech and equality of persons. It supports the respect of human rights in all countries of the world.
“I am, therefore, particularly concerned that some provisions of the Act appear to be in contradiction with those fundamental rights, which are themselves guaranteed by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, and to be inconsistent with the legal obligations enshrined in a number of international agreements to which Nigeria is a party,” Ashton said.
The British Foreign Secretary has also frowned on the ban placed on gay marriage.
Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice, Jeremy Wright, said:  “ The UK is a close friend of Nigeria, but we are disappointed that President Jonathan has given his assent to a Bill which will further criminalise same sex relationships in Nigeria. The UK opposes any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
“The Bill also directly infringes on fundamental rights of expression and association, which are guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and by Nigeria’s international treaty obligations.”
“We are concerned by the prospect this raises of further action against an already marginalised section of society.”