The Iraqi Council of Representatives passed a law on Saturday, criminalizing same sex relationships and transgender individuals, thus sparking widespread criticism from human rights groups and diplomats across the world.
This Anti-Prostitution and Homosexuality Law amends an earlier law from 1988 and imposes prison sentences and fines for most of its offenses. Consequences for those convicted of participating in a same-sex relationship include imprisonment for between 10-15 years. This law also criminalizes transgender individuals, declaring it illegal to identify as anything other than your biological sex assigned at birth, leading to potential imprisonment for 1-3 years. Medical professionals performing gender re-assignment surgery face the same sentence, though exemptions exist for surgeries correct some birth defects. The promotion of homosexuality or prostitution will lead to a minimum of seven years imprisonment.
UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, along with other diplomats, has criticized this new law, describing it as “dangerous and worrying,” and has encouraged the Government of Iraq “to uphold human rights and freedoms of all people without distinction.”
Matthew Miller, spokesperson of the US State Department, released a press statement condemning the law, stating its potential to threaten those most at risk in Iraqi society, hamper free-speech expression, and inhibit the operation of NGOs across Iraq. Furthermore, it weakens Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment, as business coalitions have already indicated that such discrimination will harm business and economic growth in the country.
Those who passed this law maintain that it upholds religious values. Independent Iraqi MP Amir Al-Maamouri told Shafaq News agency that “the law will contribute to building a sound society in line with Iraqi customs.” With this law, Iraq becomes part of the over 60 countries worldwide that criminalize same-sex relationships.