Pro-gay hacking of official Nigerian website not helpful
An Irish computer hacker’s attack on a Nigerian government website in pursuit of LGBT rights didn’t help the cause.
Instead, it bolstered Nigerian officials’ belief that the concept of LGBT rights is an intrusion from abroad, rather than something inseparable from the basic human rights that every Nigerian should be guaranteed.
After the Nigerian Ministry of Information restored its website today, it stated:
The attacks are a criminal attempt to blackmail countries which have resisted pressures by homosexuals to legalize gay marriages as is practiced in some countries to do same. …
Those seeking to impose gay rights from abroad are advised to stick to legal and constitutional means of expressing their opinions as government will not condone criminal violations of our laws by any group in the guise of promoting gay rights in the country.
Pink News reported:
An Irish hacker opposed to Nigeria’s stance on homosexuality, has attacked the country’s official government website in protest of the “anti-gay” bill which seeks to further criminalise gay people.
The attack happened on Thursday night and normal service only returned to the site several hours later.
The Irish “hacktivist”, Paddy Hack, posted to Twitter last night: “I’ve allowed http://Nigeria.gov.ng to come back to full service for now…Don’t think that I can’t come and go as I please.” …
A message left on the hacked website gave the president 72 hours to “renounce and veto this Bill.”
“Failure to follow our order will unleash a torrent of fury aimed directly at the direction of your administration, starting with some startling but unsurprising evidence of corruption in your ranks,” the message continued.
The attack by “Paddy Hack” was in response to the so-called “Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill,” which has passed both Nigeria’s Senate and House, but has not been signed by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. The bill would provide up to a 14-year prison sentences for people in same-sex marriages and up to 10 years in prison for people who work for LGBT rights and for public displays of same-sex affection.
This is the full statement by the Federal Ministry of Information:
The Federal Ministry of Information has fought off the attack on Nigeria’s National Portal last night by a group of gay rights activists.
The Federal Ministry of Information is taking additional measures to stem future attacks by hackers whose criminal activities are on the increase globally in recent times.
The attackers were traced to the same group that recently attacked several countries’ government websites across the world claiming to be fighting for gay rights.
The attacks are a criminal attempt to blackmail countries which have resisted pressures by homosexuals to legalize gay marriages as is practiced in some countries to do same.
While we recognize that Nigeria is a full-fledged democracy with robust guarantee of freedom of opinion by all citizens, it is criminal for anyone within or outside our country to use criminal means to express or canvass such opinions! The Fed Ministry of Information will liaise with security agencies to investigate last night’s attack.
Nigeria is a highly cultured and religious society whose people remain overwhelmingly opposed to the imposition of gay rights and gay marriages as practised in some countries.
Those seeking to impose gay rights from abroad are advised to stick to legal and constitutional means of expressing their opinions as government will not condone criminal violations of our laws by any group in the guise of promoting gay rights in the country.
Security checks have been stepped up on the National Portal to block all the loopholes exploited to launch last night’s attack.
Related articles
- Gay Activist Hacks Nigerian Government’s Website Over Country’s Anti-Gay Law (gregorydevans.wordpress.com)
- London pride urges LGBTI rights for Nigeria (76crimes.com)
- Anti-Gay Group Praises Nigeria’s Draconian Anti-Gay Law (lezgetreal.com)
- Nigeria: Ban gays’ lawyers, convict same-sex roommates? (76crimes.com)
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Nigeria lawmakers OK 14-year sentences for gay marriage (76crimes.com)
The argument that many homophobes and the homophobic Nigerian government is asserting, that homosexuality is a “western disease” and gay rights again is described to be a “western influence” is to disrespect the local lgbt activist and citizen in Nigeria and elsewhere and to isolate them from International support and the much needed international pressure that is required to ensure that all 76 countries remove their legal barriers to civil rights for LGBT people. Of course these Governments will bemoan “outside influence” for they are trying to hold on to their outdated prejudices whilst the rest of the World evolves. I am old enough to remember Botha making spouting similar rhetoric regarding international pressure against the apartheid regime. I wonder Mr. Stewart if you would have found the hackers actions “unhelpful” had it been against the South African racist regime of 30 years ago? Remember Mr Mandela was a convicted terrorist 50 years ago. It really does depend on one’s perspective does it not? I congratulate the hackers and urge them to continue their activities against ALL 76 Countries who continue to deny human rights to LGBTQI citizens and continue to draw International attention and win new supporters as they are doing now.
Hi, Jason. You pose a good question. I hope we’ll hear from local LGBT activists on the question of whether the hacking is helpful or harmful to the cause.
— Colin Stewart, editor of this blog