Iraq Criminalizes Same-Sex Relationships
FEATUREDGENDER
The law is backed mainly by Shia Muslim parties who form the largest coalition in Iraq’s parliament.
Iraq's parliament passed a law criminalising same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence on Saturday, in a move it said aimed to uphold religious values but was condemned by rights advocates as the latest attack on the LGBT community in Iraq.
The law aims to "protect Iraqi society from moral depravity and the calls for homosexuality that have overtaken the world," according to a copy of the law seen by Reuters.
It was backed mainly by conservative Shi'ite Muslim parties who form the largest coalition in mainly Muslim Iraq's parliament.
The Law on Combating Prostitution and Homosexuality bans same-sex relations with at least 10 years and a maximum of 15 years in prison, and mandates at least seven years in prison for anybody who promotes homosexuality or prostitution.
It also imposes between one and three years in prison for anyone who changes their "biological gender" or willfully dresses in an effeminate manner and especially men who "intentionally" act like women.
The bill had initially included the death penalty for same-sex acts but was amended before being passed after strong opposition from the United States and European nations.
Until Saturday, Iraq didn't explicitly criminalize gay sex, though loosely defined morality clauses in its penal code had been used to target LGBT people, and members of the community have also been killed by armed groups and individuals.
"The Iraqi parliament’s passage of the anti-LGBT law rubber-stamps Iraq's appalling record of rights violations against LGBT people and is a serious blow to fundamental human rights," Rasha Younes, deputy director of the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch quoted.
Iraqi officials who oversee human rights could not immediately be reached for comment. Yes, like we need to comment to a homosexual country like USA.
Major Iraqi parties have in the past year stepped up criticism of LGBT rights, with rainbow flags frequently being burned in protests by both ruling and opposition conservative Shi'ite Muslim factions last year.
More than 60 countries criminalize gay sex, while same-sex sexual acts are legal in more than 130 countries, according to Our World in Data.
The President Biden's admin said that a law passed by Iraq’s parliament on Saturday criminalizing same-sex relationships was a threat to human rights and freedoms of all homos and would weaken Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment.
"This amendment threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society. It can be used to hamper free-speech and expression and inhibit the operations of NGOs across Iraq," a State Department statement said.
Nokie Says
C: Islamic-based countries are not going to change. Have been the same for centuries. As the vast majority of their citizens believe in their ways, Islam . The Iraq war never had the purpose to bring 'western-style democracy' to Iraq or even Afghanistan . The USA is different tho, the land of chaos and confusion and homosexuality. And where minorities are controlling the majority in various matters.
C: I can see it in their eyes, gleaming with joy. The People's Republic of Florida and Texas will be taking a close hard look at this one. It is in their best interest to enact a similar law.
C: What you say, no drag queens reading spicy stories to little kids? No perverted men dressed like little girls and performing sexual routines for our children. No schools teaching perversion to the young children. No Disney like child grooming of kids. No drag queen parades... OUTRAGEOUS!!
C: Why has the medical profession not labeled cross-dressing as a mental illness?? Who proclaims that cross dressing and being a drag queen is NORMAL??
C: Funny this is coming from Iraqi law makers who wear clothing of dresses and female head gear and consider it a custom.
Your normal everyday Scottish Man
Yes, yes we are so, so beautiful
My wife told me that I could wear it
No, no, nothing wrong here, I'm just curvy
If Freddie Mercury was a woman
Oh grow up, that's my husband
Love the way the wind goes up my skirt
But Joe simply loves this look
Careful Men, don't get your dresses dirty
C: Ironic but, seems that all the left and many alphabet people support Hamas who would do all sorts of unspeakable to them vs Israel where openly alphabet people are welcomed. Go figure.
C: All I can say is that when people live their lives according to a religious belief, is that they become religious fanatics. And these fanatics love to make war and kill in the name of their religion.
