The Iraqi Parliament has passed a bill that criminalizes same-sex relationships, carrying penalties of 10 to 15 years in prison. The new law also includes provisions for transgender individuals, who could face imprisonment ranging from one to three years.
The Iraqi Parliament recently passed a bill that could result in sentences of up to 15 years for individuals engaged in same-sex relationships.
According to AFP, this legislation empowers courts in a country where gay and transgender individuals already face frequent attacks and discrimination to impose sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years in prison.
Additionally, the bill proposes a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment for those who “promote” homosexual relationships, and a penalty ranging from one to three years for men who “deliberately” exhibit feminine behavior.
The law also criminalizes “biological sex change based on personal desire and inclination,” and imposes up to three years’ imprisonment for transgender individuals and doctors performing gender reassignment surgery.
While homosexuality remains taboo in Iraq’s conservative society, there was previously no specific law punishing same-sex relationships. Members of Iraq’s LGBTI+ community have been prosecuted under vague morality and anti-prostitution provisions in the penal code.
The amendments also outlaw organizations “promoting” homosexuality and impose imprisonment of 10 to 15 years for those involved in “sex-change” acts.
Anti-LGBTI+ sentiments are escalating in Iraq
The US Department of State has labeled the law a human rights threat, stating it could hinder Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment.
“This amendment poses the greatest threat to the most vulnerable in Iraqi society. It could be used to stifle freedom of expression and hinder the activities of NGOs nationwide,” they remarked.
According to a 2022 report by Human Rights Watch and IraQueer, Iraqi LGBTI+ individuals are forced to remain in hiding and are often subjected to “abductions, rape, torture, and murder” with impunity.
Iraqi politicians and social media users are increasingly employing anti-LGBTI+ rhetoric, exacerbating fear within the community.
Source: Guardian