Iraq Prohibits Same-Sex Partnerships, Carrying a Maximum 15-Year Prison Sentence

A bill that outlaws same-sex relationships and imposes 10- to 15-year prison sentences was approved by the Iraqi parliament.

In addition, the new law may result in a one- to three-year prison sentence for transgender people. The bill’s supporters contend that it preserves Islamic values in the nation, while its opponents see it as yet another infringement on the rights of the LGBT community in Iraq.

This law not only imposed prison sentences on same-sex couples but also on anyone who promote homosexuality or prostitution, conduct gender reassignment surgery, engage in “wife swapping,” and men who exhibit behaviors deemed “intentionally” feminine.

The bill was originally drafted to include the death penalty for same-sex couples, but it was changed in response to criticism from the US and other Western countries.

The bill, according to lawmaker Amir al-Maamouri, is a major step in the fight against “sexual deviancy,” which goes against both Islamic and cultural principles.

In order to avoid jeopardizing diplomatic ties, the bill’s passage was purportedly postponed until after Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani’s recent visit to the US.

“We didn’t want to impact the visit,” said lawmaker Raed al-Malik, who also noted that it was “an internal matter and we do not accept any interference in Iraqi affairs.”

LGBT people have historically been targeted in Iraq, where they have been penalized by morality laws in the past. Human rights organizations have compiled evidence of murder, rape, torture, and kidnappings directed towards the nation’s LGBT population.

Rainbow flags have been set ablaze during demonstrations against LGBT rights by major political parties in Iraq.

However, the US State Department denounced the legislation, stating that it “also weakens Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment,” branding it a threat to human rights and freedoms and alerting the world to its possible detrimental effects on the country’s economy and foreign investment. Coalitions of foreign businesses have already stated that discrimination of this kind in Iraq will be detrimental to commerce and the nation’s economic development.

The changes were criticized by UK Secretary of State Lord David Cameron, who described them as “dangerous and worrying.”

He stated, “No one should be targeted for who they are,” in a post on X. We call on the Iraqi government to protect the liberties and human rights of every individual, without exception.