US, UK condemn bill criminalising same-sex relationships in Iraq
A general view of the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad, Iraq, January 9, 2022. Photograph:( Reuters )
Story highlights
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that the new law was extremely dangerous and worrying, calling for the government to "uphold human rights and freedoms of all people without distinction."
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that the new law was extremely dangerous and worrying, calling for the government to "uphold human rights and freedoms of all people without distinction."
The United States has severely denounced Iraq over its new bill criminalising same-sex relationships stating that the new law "threatens those most at risk" in Iraqi society.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, in a statement, warned that the amendment to the 1988 anti-prostitution law could be used to "hamper free speech and expression".
He further said that it would "weaken Iraq's ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment."
"We are deeply concerned by the passage of an amendment to existing anti-prostitution and homosexuality legislation in Iraq. This amendment threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society and weakens Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment," he wrote in a post on his official X account.
He further said that international business coalitions had already indicated that such discrimination in Iraqi society would harm businesses and economic growth in the country.
We are deeply concerned by the passage of an amendment to existing anti-prostitution and homosexuality legislation in Iraq. This amendment threatens those most at risk in Iraqi society and weakens Iraq’s ability to diversify its economy and attract foreign investment.
— Matthew Miller (@StateDeptSpox) April 27, 2024
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'Dangerous and worrying,' says UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that the new law was extremely dangerous and worrying, calling for the government to "uphold human rights and freedoms of all people without distinction."
"Amendments to Iraq’s Anti-Prostitution Law which criminalises LGBT people are dangerous and worrying. No one should be targeted for who they are. We encourage the Government of Iraq to uphold human rights and freedoms of all people without distinction," he said.
Amendments to Iraq’s Anti - Prostitution Law which criminalises LGBT people are dangerous and worrying. No one should be targeted for who they are. We encourage the Government of Iraq to uphold human rights and freedoms of all people without distinction.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) April 27, 2024
Iraq on Saturday (Apr 27) passed a bill criminalising same-sex relationships with a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
The move was condemned by the rights groups that termed it an "attack on human rights".
The law aims to "protect Iraqi society from moral depravity and the calls for homosexuality that have overtaken the world," said the copy of the law according to news agency Reuters.
Under the amendments to a 1988 anti-prostitution law, transgender people will be sentenced to three years in prison.
The amendments were adopted during a session attended by 170 out of 329 lawmakers.
The move was mainly backed by conservative Shi'ite Muslim parties who form the largest coalition in mainly Muslim Iraq's parliament.
(With inputs from agencies)
