The Iraqi parliament passed a law last night that criminalizes same-sex relationships and provides for a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
According to the legislature, the aim is to protect religious values, but the law has been condemned by human rights activists and called the latest attack on the LGBT community in Iraq.
The law aims to "protect Iraqi society from the moral corruption and appeals to homosexuality that have gripped the world," according to a copy of the law seen by Reuters.
He received support mainly from the conservative Muslim Shiite parties, which form the largest coalition in the parliament of the predominantly Muslim country.
The Anti-Prostitution and Homosexuality Act prohibits same-sex relationships and provides a minimum of 10 or a maximum of 15 years in prison for such acts, as well as a minimum of seven years in prison for anyone who promotes homosexuality or prostitution.
It also provides for between one and three years in prison for anyone who changes their "biological sex" or intentionally dresses in a feminine manner.
The bill originally provided for the death penalty for same-sex sexual acts, but after strong opposition from the United States and European countries, it was amended before being passed, according to Reuters.
Until last night, same-sex sexual acts were not explicitly criminalized in Iraq, although insufficiently defined morality clauses in the criminal code were used to attack the LGBT community, and its members were also killed by armed groups and individuals.
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