25 November 2008
The Federal Government yesterday said that it is planning to criminalize discrimination against persons with HIV/AIDS viruses in the country.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Michael Kaase Andoakaa (SAN) who dropped the hint yesterday said that a legislation is in the pipeline recommending one year jail term or one million fine for anybody that is convicted of discriminating against anybody with HIV\AIDS viruses.
He spoke yesterday in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights hosted by the Nigerian Government.
His words: "It is my joy to announce to you that last Wednesday while this session was on in Abuja , the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved a legislation making discriminations against persons with HIV \AIDs an offence punishable with one million fine or one year jail term.
"We have already sent a bill to the National Assembly to that effect. It is an executive bill," he said.
Speaking on the session which was came to an end yesterday, Andoakaa (SAN) said: "as a nation, we are determined to provide added impetus in strengthening the hands of this administration in its crusade to entrench respect for the rule of law as the cornerstone of our democratic governance
"In this respect, let me assure you that Nigeria will continue to respect its international human rights obligations and to support institutions such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights who hold the mandate to advance the cause of human rights on our continent," he said.
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