SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives Wednesday commended the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Parliamentary Assembly resolution condemning the European Parliament’s (EP) planned suspension of Nigeria and Uganda from the Cotonou Partnership Agreement for enacting a law against same sex marriage.
The resolution was made at the plenary following a motion by Hon. Muktar Ahmed on the “declaration of support by the ACP Assembly over the condemnatory position of the EP on the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.
The House also urged the executive arm of government to remain steadfast and unwavering in the legislative oversight on the implementation of the Same Sex Prohibition Act.
While leading debate on the motion, he noted that the National Assembly enacted the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act 2014, which was assented to by the president.
The lawmaker explained that the Act provides for a penalty of 14 years imprisonment for anybody who engages in same sex marriage and a penalty of 10 years for anybody witnessing same sex union or participating in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans gender or inter sex activities or operating bars, organisation or societies promoting same sex union.
He noted that the EP adopted a resolution on March 12 to commence consultation aimed at suspending Nigeria and Uganda from the Cotonou Partnership Agreement over the passage of legislation by both countries further criminalising homosexual activities.
He observed that the said resolution of the EP was brought to the attention of the ACP group of states at its 35th session in Strasbourg, France from 14th to 19th March, 2014, by the Head of Ugandan delegation.
He also appreciated the declaration issued by the ACP Parliamentary Assembly in reaction to the said resolution of the EP in which it, among others, express solidarity with the Parliaments of Nigeria and Uganda as well as calling on the European Union to appreciate democratic choices made by these countries and to delink cultural preference from the need to address developmental and poverty issues.
In adopting the motion, which was unanimously accepted, the lawmakers advised the Federal Government not to bow to pressure from any quarter seeking the repeal of the act.
SAINT MUGAGA, ABUJA.
