An Iraqi politician, Raad al-Maliki, has introduced a controversial bill in parliament that seeks to criminalize same-sex relationships and expressions of transgender identity. The proposed amendment to Iraq’s “Law on Combatting Prostitution” from 1988 could result in the death penalty or long prison sentences for individuals engaged in same-sex relationships. The bill also targets transgender women, imposing penalties of up to three years in jail or a fine of up to €7,100 ($7,700) for anyone “imitating a woman” in public.
This legislative move is seen as connected to broader public protests and discontent in Iraq. Rasha Younes, a senior LGBTQ rights researcher at Human Rights Watch, notes that such actions are often used as a strategy to divert attention and mobilize public sentiment against marginalized groups.
According to Human Rights Watch, the draft law characterizes same-sex relationships as “sexual perversion” and criminalizes the promotion of homosexuality, with potential penalties of up to seven years in prison and hefty fines. However, the bill does not clarify what constitutes the “promotion of homosexuality.”
Until now, Iraq did not have explicit laws against same-sex relationships, and authorities typically used morality laws to target LGBTQ individuals. The introduction of this anti-LGBT bill follows months of hostile rhetoric against sexual and gender minorities by Iraqi officials.
Local LGBTQ communities in Iraq have faced violence and attacks for years, with perpetrators often enjoying impunity. The new law, if passed, is likely to further empower attackers.
This move in Iraq is part of a broader trend in the Middle East, where LGBTQ individuals and rights have been targeted and demonized in some countries. Activists and human rights organizations continue to work to protect LGBTQ individuals’ rights and safety in the region.