The UN said it was “alarmed” on Monday by a new law passed by the Iraqi parliament, criminalizing same-sex relationships and gender transitions, and called for it to be repealed.
“This law goes against several human rights treaties and conventions ratified by Iraq, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and should be repealed,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson. word of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in a press release.
The new provisions provide for sentences of ten to 15 years in prison for homosexual relations, as well as for swinging practices involving wives, according to the text consulted by AFP.
The law also bans “any organization promoting homosexuality in Iraq”, with a prison sentence of seven years for “promoting” homosexual relations.
It prohibits “the change of biological sex on the basis of individual desires or inclinations” and provides for a penalty of one to three years of imprisonment for any person or doctor involved in this transition.
A similar punishment is provided for any man whose behavior is deemed effeminate.
“There is ample evidence that these laws also legitimize bias, expose people to hate crimes, police abuse, harassment, intimidation, blackmail and torture,” Shamdasani said.
“In addition, they perpetuate discrimination and denial of access to basic services, including health care, education and housing,” she added.
The NGO Amnesty International criticized the AFP for a “violation of fundamental human rights”.
The US State Department expressed “deep concern” on Saturday about the legislation. Its spokesperson Matthew Miller deplores that the law threatens the most vulnerable people in Iraqi society and “undermines the government’s economic and political reform efforts”.