Published on: April 29, 2024 21:51 IST
Human rights groups and diplomats have strongly criticized a new law quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament that imposes heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender individuals. The law, passed as an amendment to the country’s anti-prostitution law, imposes a sentence of 10 to 15 years for same-sex relations and prison terms of one to three years for gender-transition surgeries and the “intentional practice of effeminacy.”
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned the law, stating it “threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society” and could hinder free speech and expression, potentially deterring foreign investment. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also expressed concern, calling the law “dangerous and worrying.”
Iraqi officials defended the law, with acting parliamentary speaker Mohsen Al-Mandalawi stating it was necessary to protect societal values and children from “moral depravity and homosexuality.”
Human Rights Watch criticized the law, saying it “rubber-stamps Iraq’s appalling record of rights violations against LGBT people.” A previous draft of the law included the death penalty for same-sex relations.
Iraqi lawmakers launched a campaign to expel U.S. Ambassador Alina Romanowski after she condemned the legislation, accusing her of interfering in internal affairs.
Iraqi opinions on the law are mixed, with some, like Baghdad resident Ahmed Mansour, supporting it for religious reasons, citing its alignment with Islamic teachings.
The law has sparked widespread international concern, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Iraq.
