September 28, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission and critical stakeholders have advocated the need for the protection of the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).

They made the advocacy at a one-day in-house training on gay rights, organised in Umuahia by the Centre for Population Health Initiatives and funded by the U.S Embassy.

Participants at the training were drawn from the civil society organisations, media and judiciary, amongst others.

The State Coordinator of the commission, Mrs. Uche Nwokocha, said the workshop was intended to sensitise the relevant stakeholders that gay people are human beings, whose rights should be protected.

She said that it was not right to discriminate against them because of their sexual orientation.
She admitted that gay practice was still a crime in the country’s criminal code, but said that their rights were being protected by the Constitution.

Nwokocha said: “A lot of people do not like what they do or how they live their lives, but it is their business provided it is two adults that are consenting to that kind of relationship.

“Where a minor is involved, it becomes a very serious crime and we will not protect the person.

“We will ensure as a commission that the person is prosecuted.”

A cross-section of the participants called for tolerance, urging the public not to discriminate or stigmatise people because they had different sexual orientation.

A human rights lawyer, Mr. Enyinnaya Onwumere, said that although homosexuality was being outlawed in the country’s criminal code law and act, the law still respects the fundamental rights of human beings.

“It is my position that gay rights should be protected in as much as it doesn’t affect our societal morals and values,” Onwumere said. (NAN)