Iraq introduces penalties of up to 15 years in prison for same-sex relationships

The Iraqi parliament has passed a bill criminalizing same-sex relationships in the country, writes Reuters.

As stated in the text of the document, the law is aimed at “protecting society from moral decay and calls for homosexuality that have swept the world.” The bill was supported mainly by conservative Shiite deputies, who make up the majority in parliament, the agency notes.

The document provides for a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years for same-sex relationships, as well as sentences of seven years for those who “promote homosexuality or prostitution.” In addition, the law criminalizes transgender transition - the punishment for this will be from one to three years in prison.

Initially, the bill implied the death penalty for same-sex relationships, but it was later finalized. Human rights activists note that the new law violates the rights of LGBT people and deals a serious blow to fundamental human rights.

• According to the Our World in Data portal, same-sex sexual relations are considered legal in more than 130 countries, and in another 60 countries they are criminalized.