Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird speaks out against Nigeria over anti-gay law.

Canada is condemning Nigeria for clamping down on homosexuality.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird lashed out at a bill passed by Nigeria’s senate that would, if ratified, “disregard basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Nigeria already criminalizes homosexuality, and this bill would make same-sex marriage punishable by a 14-year jail sentence and turn supporters or witnesses of such unions into criminals as well, the release said. Groups that support gay rights would also be banned.

“The Government of Nigeria must protect all Nigerians, regardless of sexual orientation,” Baird said. “Through the Commonwealth and other forums, Canada will continue to make this point in the most forceful of terms.”

Baird called the promotion and protection of human rights an “integral part” of Canadian foreign policy.



Amnesty International declared the Nigerian bill “reprehensible.”

“If passed, this measure would target people on the basis of their identity, not merely their behaviour, and put a wide range of people at risk of criminal sanctions for exercising basic rights and opposing discrimination based purely on a person’s actual or presumed sexual orientation or gender identity,” the human rights group said.

The Nigerian bill goes to the nation’s House of Representatives for a vote before President Goodluck Jonathan is able to sign it into law. Last month, British Prime Minister David Cameron threatened to withhold aid from nations violating gay rights, triggering outrage from African leaders who said the move undermined their sovereignty and cultural practices.

Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.

He says legislation being considered in Nigeria would disregard basic human rights. The country's Senate has approved a bill which would further toughen Nigerian anti-gay laws and make same-sex marriages punishable by 14 years in jail.

It also targets those who support or even witness such unions or those who form gay-rights groups.

Baird says Nigeria should ensure equal basic rights for all its citizens. At the October Commonwealth conference in Australia, Canada was part of a failed effort to persuade member states to rescind anti-gay laws.

Baird says Canada will keep trying, even though 41 of the group's 54 member countries have anti-gay laws. He said governments have a duty to all citizens.

"The government of Nigeria must protect all Nigerians, regardless of sexual orientation," he said. "Through the Commonwealth and other forums, Canada will continue to make this point in the most forceful of terms."

Many Third World countries maintain tough anti-gay laws and condemn western efforts to change their views.