Iraq criminalises same-sex relationships in new law
April 29, 2024Iraq’s parliament has adopted a law that criminalises same-sex relationships, imposing incarceration ranging from 10 to 15 years.
The legislation also stipulates prison terms of one to three years for trans individuals.
Proponents assert that the law is necessary to preserve the country’s religious values.
However, human rights organisations have denounced it as an additional stain on Iraq’s already poor record concerning LGBTQ+ rights violations.
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According to ‘BBC’, the law also penalises those advocating for homosexuality or prostitution, clinicians performing gender reassignment surgeries, men who “intentionally” exhibit feminine behaviours, and individuals involved in “wife swapping,” with various prison sentences.
Originally, an earlier version of this bill—an update to an anti-prostitution law from the late 1980s—had suggested the death penalty for homosexual acts.
This provision was revised following objections from the United States and other Western nations.
MP Amir al-Maamouri commented to Shafaq News on Saturday that the law represents “a significant step in combating sexual deviancy given the infiltration of unique cases contradicting Islamic and societal values.”
The vote on the bill was delayed until after Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani’s trip to the US earlier this month, shared legislator Raed al-Maliki, who promoted the amendments.
“We didn't want to impact the visit,” Mr. al-Maliki explained to the AFP news agency, emphasising that this is “an internal matter and we do not accept any interference in Iraqi affairs.”
Authorities in Iraq have historically persecuted LGBTQ+ individuals, utilising various morality laws for punitive measures.
Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups have documented instances of kidnapping, torture, rape, and murder.
Recent years have seen major Iraqi political factions intensify their denunciation of LGBTQ+ rights, with instances of rainbow flags being torched during demonstrations.
The US State Department has criticised the new legal reforms as jeopardising human rights and freedoms.
“The legislation also weakens Iraq's ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment,” it further noted.
“International business coalitions have expressed concerns that such discrimination in Iraq will impede business and economic development in the nation.”
Moreover, UK Secretary of State Lord David Cameron labeled the amendments as “dangerous and worrying.”
“No one should be targeted for who they are,” he stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We encourage the Government of Iraq to uphold human rights and freedoms of all people without distinction.”
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