Muslim group defends Nigeria's anti-gay bill
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — A Muslim rights organization praises Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan for signing a bill that bans gay organizations, meetings and gay marriage, and commends him for resisting pressure from Western countries.
Muslim Rights Concern in a statement Thursday warns Western countries to "desist from interfering in its (Nigeria's) internal affairs."
The bill that Jonathan signed on Jan. 7 brought widespread condemnation from abroad — including the United States, Britain, Canada, the European Union and the United Nations.
Muslim Rights says this confirms fears that the U.N. is a "tool of powerful capitalist nations."
The UNAIDS agency says the law could criminalize people in programs to fight HIV-AIDS. The U.S. says it violates the rights of all Nigerians to free speech and association.
