The Iraqi parliament has passed a law criminalizing same-sex relations and vowing tough penalties against them in a step that rights advocates decried as discriminating against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
The legislature Saturday voted for an amendment to a 1988 anti-prostitution law, penalizing homosexuality by 10 to 15 years in prison, and bans promoting prostitution and same-sex relationships in "any way" in Iraq, making it punishable by at least seven years in jail.
An initial draft proposed the death penalty for same-sex relations, the Iraqi independent portal Alsumaria News reported.
The parliament’s acting head Mohsen al-Mandalawi defended the bill.
“It is an essential step to protect the value structure of society and a supreme interest to protect our children against calls of moral depravity and homosexuality,” he said in a press statement.
However, the legislation triggered an outcry and condemnations.
“Absolutely horrific developments in law for Iraq today [Saturday] as it codifies discrimination against the LGBT community,” said Raz Salayi, an Iraq researcher at the rights group Amnesty International.
The United States, an ally of Iraq, said it was “deeply concerned” about the Iraqi move.
“This amendment threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society and weakens Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in an X post.
Previously, homosexuality was not explicitly criminalized in Iraq.