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STORY: UN/ NIGERIA ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY LAW
TRT: 1:18
SOURCE: UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 15 JANUARY 2014, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – RECENT, NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters
DATELINE: 15 JANUARY 2014, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
2. Wide shot, UN Spokesperson walking to the lectern
3. Wide shot, presser
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Nesirky, Spokesperson of the United Nations Secretary-General:
“The law introduces a wide range of offences, in breach of fundamental human rights, including 14-year jail terms for same-sex couples who live together or attempt to solemnize their union with a ceremony. The Secretary-General fears that the law may fuel prejudice and violence, and notes with alarm reports that police in northern Nigeria have arrested individuals believed by the authorities to be homosexuals, and may even have tortured them.
5. Wide shot, journalists
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin Nesirky, Spokesperson of the United Nations Secretary-General:
“The Secretary-General strongly hopes that the constitutionality of the law can be reviewed. The United Nations stands ready to assist Nigeria in any way to bring about constructive dialogue and change on this matter.”
7. Wide shot, presser
8. Zoom out, Press briefing room
The Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shared today (15 Jan) the “deep concern” expressed Tuesday by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, following the recent signing into law of the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in Nigeria.
Speaking to reporters, the UN Spokesperson Martin Nesirky explained that “the law introduces a wide range of offences, in breach of fundamental human rights, including 14-year jail terms for same-sex couples who live together or attempt to solemnize their union with a ceremony.”
He added that “the Secretary-General fears that the law may fuel prejudice and violence, and notes with alarm reports that police in northern Nigeria have arrested individuals believed by the authorities to be homosexuals, and may even have tortured them.”
According to UNAIDS and the Global Fund, the law also risks obstructing effective responses to HIV/AIDS.
The UN spokesperson said that the “Secretary-General reiterated that everyone is entitled to enjoy the same basic rights and live a life of worth and dignity without discrimination. This fundamental principle is embedded in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”
Finally, Nesirky noted that “the Secretary-General strongly hopes that the constitutionality of the law can be reviewed”; adding in that “the United Nations stands ready to assist Nigeria in any way to bring about constructive dialogue and change on this matter”.
