Iraq Passes New Law Criminalizing Homosexuality

The Iraqi parliament has passed a law on Saturday that criminalizes homosexual relations, introducing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. According to a statement from the Iraqi parliament, this move aims to protect religious values.

According to a copy of the law obtained by Reuters, the legislation seeks to 'protect Iraqi society from moral decay and calls for homosexuality that have spread throughout the world.'

The new law also stipulates imprisonment of one to three years for those who change their biological sex or deliberately dress in a manner similar to women. The original draft of the bill included the death penalty for homosexual relations; however, it was amended before passage following severe backlash from the US and European countries.