Senators in the United States Senate are clamoring for economic sections
\nagainst Nigeria over the country’s hardline posture against homosexuality.<\/p>\n
Ten Senators of the Democratic Party in a letter to President Barrack
\nObama are demanding that all African Countries who are signatories to the
\nAfrican Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, be sanctioned for discriminating
\nagainst Gays and Lesbians.<\/p>\n
A new law signed by the president Goodluck Jonathan earlier in the year
\nmade it illegal for gay practice. The Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act
\nalso criminalizes homosexual clubs, associations and organizations, with
\npenalties of up to 14 years in jail.<\/p>\n
In Ugandan, the Parliament passed anti-gay legislation which would punish
\n“aggravated” homosexual acts with life in prison.<\/p>\n
The U.S Senators argue that African countries with hardline postures
\nagainst homosexuality have violated Human Right Laws upon which AGOA is
\nfounded.<\/p>\n
See the Letter below:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The President
\nThe White House
\n1600 Pennsylvania Ave,
\nNW Washington, DC 20500<\/p>\n
Dear Mr. President,<\/p>\n
We write with deep concern over a growing trend of laws and proposed
\nlegislation targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
\nindividuals in Africa. These laws, combined with the growing public
\nvitriol by government officials and the media, threaten to usher in an era
\nof widespread oppression of the LGBT community in many African countries.<\/p>\n
We believe the enforcement of these laws would be a human rights abuse in
\nviolation of the standards set forth in the African Growth and Opportunity
\nAct (AGOA).<\/p>\n
Already this year, both Nigeria and Uganda have enacted laws that impose
\nharsh penalties for homosexual activity and activism on behalf of LGBT
\npeople. Despite strong opposition from the United States and many other
\nnations, Nigeria enacted the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act in January,
\nand one month later, Uganda\u2019s President signed into law the
\nAnti-Homosexuality Act. In Nigeria, the legislation immediately triggered
\nan outbreak of violent anti-gay attacks.<\/p>\n
As you know, Uganda and Nigeria are among the countries eligible for AGOA,
\nwhich has allowed for duty-free treatment of certain imports from
\nsub-Saharan African countries since 2000. Congress passed this law with a
\nclear intention to make the benefits of this non-reciprocal agreement
\ncontingent on these countries\u2019 commitment to human rights. AGOA states
\nthat a country is only eligible for preferential trade status if that
\ncountry \u201cdoes not engage in gross violations of internationally recognized
\nhuman rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
The jurisprudence in the area of international human rights supports
\nrespect of sexual orientation and gender identity as human rights. We
\ntherefore ask that your Administration review Nigeria and Uganda\u2019s
\neligibility for AGOA\u2019s trade preference and, if it is determined that
\nthose countries are not \u201cmaking continual progress\u201d in meeting the
\nstatute\u2019s requirements, that you take steps to revoke AGOA eligibility to
\nNigeria and Uganda in accordance with 19 U.S. C. \u00a72466a(a)(3). We believe
\nthat the discriminatory anti-LGBT laws in those countries represent a
\nclear violation of human rights and hope that the interagency process
\ncharged with AGOA\u2019s annual review will make this recommendation. We
\nfurther ask that you not restore eligibility until these beneficiary
\ncountries have taken steps to eliminate harsh penalties for LGBT persons.<\/p>\n
As the International Trade Commission (ITC) correctly stated when AGOA was
\nfirst passed, \u201cCongress never intended AGOA to be a blank check for all
\nAfrican countries, without regard to performance. It was meant to offer
\ntangible incentives for African governments to improve their political and
\neconomic governance, not to underwrite poor policies.\u201d Some of the leaders
\nwho promote the benefits of AGOA in their respective countries, including
\nUganda\u2019s President Yoweri Museveni, are the same leaders now presiding
\nover the deterioration of LGBT rights in Africa. By revoking AGOA
\neligibility, the United States will be sending a clear message that
\ncountries must choose between enjoying the benefits of AGOA and violating
\nthe human rights of LGBT individuals. We thank you for your attention to
\nthis matter and urge you to act swiftly.<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Christopher S. Murphy, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Tammy Baldwin, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Martin Heinrich, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Barbara Boxer, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Al Franken, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Kirsten Gillibrand, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Edward Markey, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Sherrod Brown, United States Senator<\/p>\n
Mark E. Udall, United States Senator<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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