The European Union on Wednesday expressed disappointment over President Goodluck Jonathan’s assenting to the anti-gay bill.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton, in a statement said: “I am concerned about the signing into law in Nigeria of the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.

Speaking further, she said “The European Union is opposed to discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation” adding that the Union “is firmly committed to fundamental human rights and the rule of law in respect of those rights, including freedom of association, conscience and speech and the equality of persons.

The statement also categorically noted that the European Union supports “the respect of human rights in all countries of the world.
“I am therefore particularly concerned that some provisions of the Act appear to be in contradiction with those fundamental rights, which are themselves guaranteed by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, and to be inconsistent with the legal obligations enshrined in a number of international agreements to which Nigeria is a party.” It added.

The statement is coming after the Canadian government expressed concern that Nigeria had adopted a law that further criminalizes homosexuality.

The Canadian government also urged “Nigeria to repeal the law and to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Nigerians regardless of their sexual orientation”.