The Iraqi parliament has approved a bill imposing harsh penalties on same-sex relationships, with offenders facing imprisonment for up to 15 years.
The legislation, an amendment to a 1988 anti-prostitution law, also includes provisions targeting transgender individuals, who could be sentenced to three years in jail.
During the parliamentary session, attended by 170 out of 329 lawmakers, the bill was passed amidst contentious debate.
While an earlier draft had proposed capital punishment for same-sex relations, the amended version now allows courts to impose sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years in prison.
Additionally, the amendments introduce a minimum seven-year prison term for individuals found guilty of “promoting” same-sex relations.
Moreover, men who are deemed to be “intentionally” acting like women could face imprisonment ranging from one to three years.
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The revised law further criminalizes “biological sex change based on personal desire and inclination,” targeting both transgender individuals and medical professionals involved in gender reassignment surgery. Trans people and doctors performing such surgeries could be sentenced to up to three years in prison.
