Iraq Passes Law Criminalizing Same-Sex Acts with Up to 15 Years in Prison

The Iraqi Parliament has passed a bill that criminalizes same-sex relationships, with jail terms of 10 to 15 years. The law also punishes transgender people and gender-affirming surgery with up to 3 years in prison. This move has been condemned by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as an attack on human rights.

The bill, titled 'Combatting homosexuality,' aims to 'combat sexual deviancy' and create an environment aligned with Iraqi customs and Islamic values. It was backed mainly by conservative Shia Muslim parties. The law also bans organizations that 'promote' homosexuality and punishes 'wife swapping' with a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years.

The U.S. and the European Union have opposed the law, with the U.S. State Department expressing deep concern about the legislation, stating that it threatens constitutionally protected human rights and fundamental freedoms. Diplomats from Western countries lobbied against the bill due to human rights concerns and the potential impact on bilateral relations.

Why this matters: The passage of this law is seen as a serious blow to fundamental human rights and a further assault on Iraq's LGBTQ community. LGBTQ Iraqis have faced frequent discrimination, violence, and attacks that often go unpunished, and the new law is seen as further codifying this discrimination, putting them at even greater risk.

The bill was initially proposed with the death penalty for same-sex acts, but was amended after opposition from the United States and European nations. More than 60 countries criminalize gay sex, while same-sex sexual acts are legal in more than 130 countries globally. Previously, Iraq lacked explicit laws against homosexual activity, though vague morality clauses in the penal code had been used to target LGBTQ individuals.

"This law is an attack on human rights and freedoms, and can be used to restrict free speech, expression, and the operations of NGOs in Iraq," the U.S. State Department said in a statement condemning the law. Rights advocates have also strongly denounced the legislation as the latest attack on the LGBTQ community in Iraq, solidifying the country's history of LGBTQ rights violations with impunity for years.

Key Takeaways

• Iraqi Parliament passed law criminalizing same-sex relationships, with jail terms of 10-15 years.
• Law also punishes transgender people and gender-affirming surgery with up to 3 years in prison.
• Law bans organizations that 'promote' homosexuality and punishes 'wife swapping' with 10-15 years.
• U.S. and EU opposed the law, stating it threatens human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Law seen as serious blow to LGBTQ rights in Iraq, further codifying discrimination and violence.