The Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird has called on Nigeria to repeal to anti Gay bill passed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan earlier this month.
President Jonathan assented to the law which is popular amongst Nigerians, a deeply religious country. The law makes same sex relationships and marriage illegal and punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.
A statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Canadian Embassy calls the law a “human rights violation”.
In the statement, Baird said, “Canada has clearly spoken out against human rights violations committed against people on the basis of their sexuality, and we will continue to do so.
“Canada is deeply concerned that Nigeria has adopted a law that further criminalizes homosexuality. This law can be used to impose prison sentences of up to 14 years.
“We call on Nigeria to repeal this law and to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Nigerians regardless of their sexual orientation.
“Canada has clearly spoken out against human rights violations committed against people on the basis of their sexuality, and we will continue to do so.”
Nigeria is the giant of Africa, with that status they should call on US and other western countries like Canada to pass the anti-gay law immediately.