Gay Nigerians protest against anti-gay laws.
Twelve Nigerian men face stoning by Sharia Court for crime of homosexuality. Eleven will be tried under Islamic Sharia law and the twelfth, a Christian, under secular law.
The National Turk reported, via Religion of Peace:
Religious leaders in the Nigerian northern State of Bauchi have put 12 men on trial for engaging in an act of homosexuality.
Local reporters say the men face stoning to death if found guilty by the Islamic Court which is using the Sharia legal system in the trial. 9 out of the 36 Nigerian States practice the Sharia Law Legal System.
Under the Sharia law, a person can be sentenced to death by stoning if convicted of homosexuality but even under secular laws in Nigeria; it is illegal to have gay sex.
President Goodluck Jonathan earlier this month signed a parliamentary bill which tightens laws against homosexuals, banning same-sex marriages, gay groups and shows of same-sex public affection.
But various Human Rights groups in Nigeria have criticized this move by the President and described it as a negation of the rights of homosexuals to enjoy their fundamental human rights.
Amnesty International described the arrest as “witch hunting” for gay people on Wednesday and blamed the new law criminalizing gay organizations and meetings as well as same-sex marriage which was signed by President Jonathan.
In January a man in northern Nigeria has received 20 lashes after a Sharia court convicted him of breaking laws against same-sex activity.
