Nigeria’s new law leaves gays vulnerable

Hundreds of men arrested and tortured by police as controversial legislation criminalising homosexuality takes effect.

In Nigeria a gay man has been lashed 20 times – the first conviction for sodomy since President Goodluck Jonathan signed a law criminalising homosexuality earlier this week.

Human rights activists said hundreds of gay men have been arrested and tortured by police.

The international community says not only is the new law against fundamental freedoms, it will affect health-care services to 3.4 million Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS as they will now be afraid to seek treatment in case people think they are gay.

Al Jazeera’s Yvonne Ndege reports from Abuja.

Source: Al Jazeera

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