#UntoldFacts: Insightful Knowledge On Sexual Orientation In Nigeria (Watch Video)
On the fifth episode of Untold Facts airing today, the host of the monthly series, Moses Omoghena will be engaging guests on the topic ‘violence against gay men and women, since when did violence become a result to anything.’?
Untold Facts is a discussion series that focuses on sexual health and rights in Nigeria, it clarifies myths and clears up misconceptions around sexual orientation and gender identity. The show is sponsored by The Initiative for Equal Rights.
Guests on the new episode are Abayomi Aka, a legal practitioner who is also a human rights activist and Emeka Chukwuma, another legal practitioner who specialises in corporate, criminal and civil law.
Speaking on the issue of gay men and women being battered simply because of their identity, Emeka said that ‘the first thing that comes to mind is human right, was the due process followed and what are the state actors doing about this’?
Contributing to this topic, Yomi stated that “it has nothing to do with being gay or straight, simply put, a human being has been hurt or someone’s rights has been breached.” “Also, what necessary precautions have been taken in defence of this person, how has this person been catered for in that regard and has this person been able to exploit all the justice system?”
He gave a survey from December 2015 to March 2016 stating that “105 extreme cases of human rights violation were perpetuated against people in the LGBT community ranging from black men and extortion, ‘supposedly’ curative rape, unlawful arrest and detention, instances of kidnap and worst cases, death.”
“Any idea or philosophy that places a class of people above another class breeds violence” Emeka added, he also outlined some effective ways of bringing perpetuators to justice by making reference to the five roles a state must fulfil as stated by the United Nations:
· Protect right to life and liberty
· Right of association, right to assembly
· Safeguard these rights
· Repeal laws that forbid freedom of expression
· Repeal laws that are against same sex marriage or homosexuality
Watch the full show here:
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About TIERs
The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) is a Nigeria-based registered non-for-profit organisation working to protect and promote the human rights of sexual minorities nationally and regionally. We’re committed to bringing about a society that is free from discrimination and harm on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We work towards this goal through education, empowerment and engagement with the many publics in Nigeria. We were founded in 2005 as a response to the discrimination and marginalisation of sexual minorities in both HIV prevention programming and mainstream human rights work. We currently have 11 full time members of staff and over 50 volunteers peer educators.
About Red Media Africa
Red Media Africa ( www.redmediaafrica.com ) is the PR & Empowerment Marketing division under the parent brand, RED.
It focuses on using inspiration, empowerment and action to help brands and organisations connect with their audiences, enhance their bottom-lines and lead in their industries.
It has 6 major practice areas: Corporate Practice, Technology Practice, SME Practice, Governance Practice, Faith Practice and the International Practice - with work for brands across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.
RED owns the continent's largest portfolio of youth media brands. Its Content Division holds brands across TV, radio, online and events including Y! Magazine,YNaija.com, Rubbin' Minds, #YTech100 and the The RED Summit. It also anchors a development firm, The Future Project, which projects include Africa's leading youth platform, The Future Awards Africa, HowCanIGetInvolved.com and Aiki.ng, which is run in conjunction with Microsoft.