Mass arrests reported in Nigeria after anti-gay legislation went into effect

UNAMID police advisors from Nigeria stand in formation during the celebration of the Police. Photo by Flickr User Albert González Farran – UNAMID.

After Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, signed a bill last week penalizing gay marriage and gay clubs, societies and organizations, dozens of gay men are reportedly arrested across Nigeria.

The legislative, widely condemned by the international community and Secretary of State John Kerry, enforces penalties of 14 year in jail for gay marriage and up to 10 years for membership or encouragement of any gay organizations.

Dorothy Aken’Ova, executive director of the country’s International Centre for Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights, told the Guardian that the laws will endanger program combating HIV-Aids in the gay community in a country with the second-largest HIV epidemic in the world. Nigeria has an estimated 3.4 million people living with HIV.

President Jonathan’s spokesman said the law ” is in line with the people’s cultural and religious inclination. So it is a law that is a reflection of the beliefs and orientation of Nigerian people.”