50. JAL 13/01/2014 Case no: NGA 1/2014 State reply: none to date

Alleged upcoming signature of the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill, 2011, by the Senate on 18 December 2013.

Observations

52. The Special Rapporteur regrets that, at the time of finalising this report, no response was received to the two communications sent during the reporting period. He hopes to receive responses shortly, especially considering that they address new legislation, which may restrict the space for civil society organisations.

53. The Special Rapporteur reiterates regret that the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act, addressed in a communication dated 13 January 2014, was approved by the President in January 2014. Serious concerns are expressed that this law unduly limits the free exercise of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and opinion and expression, as well as restrict the work of human rights defenders in relation to the human rights of LGBTI persons.

Link to full text of the report: Report-SRHRD-Communications and replies-2015-eng-fra-esp

Link to Special Rapporteur’s correspondence with the State: Correspondence-SR-Nigeria-1-2014-eng