Human Rights Watch writes to Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua at the midway point of his term in office to express concern about the slow rate of progress, and indeed significant setbacks, in addressing crucial human rights problems in Nigeria under his administration.

Human Rights Watch writes to President Yar'Adua, legislative leaders, and other Nigerian officials to express concern over the "Same Gender Marriage (Prohibition) Bill." The bill punishes anyone who enters into a "same gender marriage" with three years' imprisonment. It also provides five years in prison for anyone who "witnesses, abet[s] and aids" someone else to enter into such a marriage.

Human Rights Watch writes to urge President Köhler to use his forthcoming visit to Nigeria to raise specific human rights concerns with President Umaru Yar'Adua and his administration. Serious problems include rampant government corruption and mismanagement that undermine the realization of the right to basic healthcare and education; political and intercommunal violence fomented by government officials and politicians; and widespread use of extrajudicial executions, torture, and extortion by state security forces.

Human Rights Watch writes to urge Dr. Ihsanoglu to use his position as Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to support measures at the upcoming Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Dakar, Senegal on March 13-14 that would improve and strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism. In particular, the OIC should consider two amendments to the Convention to narrow its overbroad definition of terrorism and make absolutely clear that there is no sanction in Islam for deliberately attacking civilians, whatever the circumstances or justifications.

Human Rights Watch writes to the Nigerian Senate to voice deep concern over a bill pending before the National Assembly, which would criminalize advocacy or associations supporting the rights of lesbian and gay people; prohibit public expression concerning gay and lesbian lives; and introduce criminal penalties for relationships and marriage ceremonies between persons of the same sex. The proposed legislation contravenes the basic rights to freedom of expression, conscience, association, and assembly, as well as internationally recognized protections against discrimination.

Faith leaders in the United States write regarding the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2006, urging the Nigerian Senate, as civic leaders, to respect human dignity by rejecting this bill. Going far beyond banning equality in civil marriage, it is an assault on everyone’s basic freedoms.

A coalition of 16 Nigerian, African, and international human rights organizations write to President Obasanjo with deep concern over a proposed bill that would introduce criminal penalties for relationships and marriage ceremonies between persons of the same sex as well as for public advocacy or associations supporting the rights of lesbian and gay people.

The Campaign Against Impunity, a coalition of some three hundred African and international civil society groups, writes to President Johnson-Sirleaf, urging her to take concrete steps to ensure Nigeria promptly surrenders former Liberian President Charles Taylor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.