"Under UK asylum policy, Nigeria is treated as a country that is generally stable rather than affected by civil war, active conflict, or a failing government. It is listed as a safe country of origin for men, meaning UK authorities presume that, in general, there is no serious or widespread risk of persecution or indiscriminate violence. However, for queer Nigerians, this perception of safety is misleading and dangerous."
"In August of last year, two secondary school students were beaten to death by their classmates after being accused of homosexuality. In a separate incident a month prior, videos surfaced online showing two university students being attacked by a mob over similar allegations. Violence of this nature has become disturbingly normalized in Nigerian schools, often supported - and at times applauded - by school authorities, with little to no accountability for those responsible."
UK asylum policy lists Nigeria as a 'safe country of origin' for men, presuming no serious or widespread risk of persecution or indiscriminate violence. For queer Nigerians, such a presumption is misleading and dangerous. Nigeria criminalises same-sex relationships under the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act and several northern states apply Sharia-based penal codes with severe penalties, including death. Homophobic violence is common and often unpunished: students have been beaten or thrown to their deaths, university students attacked by mobs, and underage girls stoned after accusations. Police and authorities frequently exploit homophobic laws, and schools sometimes support or applaud violence with little accountability.
Read at PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news
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