U.S. Intervention at the Adoption of the UPR WG Report for Nigeria
25th Session of the Human Rights Council
Delivered by Lisa Brodey
March 20, 2014
The United States welcomes the return of the delegation of Nigeria and appreciates the opportunity to speak today.
We note Nigeria’s resolve to promote good governance, including its efforts to strengthen the democratic process. We encourage the Government of Nigeria, at the national and sub-national levels, to make every effort to ensure credible, transparent, and peaceful elections.
We note the government’s acceptance of the recommendation to hold security forces accountable for human rights violations and topromote accountability for gross violations of human rights. We remain deeply concerned by serious human rights violations and abuses occurring in Nigeria.We welcome Nigeria’s recently announced comprehensive investment plan to counter Boko Haram in the northeast. As the government works to counter these insurgents and others who commit acts of terrorism, we urgeitto implement a comprehensive, human rights-based approach, and to hold accountable all parties responsible for gross violations or large-scale abuses of human rights.
We are deeply disappointed that the government rejected recommendations from the U.S. and several other member states to establish policies and procedures that protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Nigerians, including LGBT persons, their families and associates. The U.S. condemns the undue restrictions placed upon freedoms of expression, association, and assembly for all Nigerians, regardless of sexual orientation,through the Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.We urge the government to uphold its international human rights obligations and to repeal this act.
We look forward to continued dialogue with the Nigerian government through the UPR process.
Thank you.