Iraq’s parliament on saturday passed a law criminalising same-sex relationships. The Law bans same-sex relations with 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 dresses in an effeminate manner. The law was backed mainly by conservative Shi’ite Muslim parties who form the largest coalition in mainly Muslim Iraq’s parliament. According to the officials, the move aimed to uphold religious values and to protect Iraqi society from moral depravity.
Major Iraqi parties have in the past year stepped up criticism of LGBT rights, with rainbow flags frequently being burnt in protests by both ruling and opposition conservative Shi’ite Muslim factions last year.
According to data available, same-sex sexual acts are legal in more than 130 countries while more than 60 countries have criminalised gay sex.
Disclaimer: This press release is sourced from News On AIR, Prasar Bharti and Press Information Bureau India (PIB).
