Iraq's parliament made gay sex punishable by 10 to 15 years in prison and made 'promoting homosexuality' a crime
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On April 27, 2024, Iraq's Council of Representatives passed amendments to the 1988 Law on Combatting Prostitution. Per Human Rights Watch, same-sex relations carry 10 to 15 years in prison; 'promoting homosexuality' carries seven years plus a fine of 10 to 15 million dinars; and 'imitating women' carries one to three years or a fine. Gender-affirming procedures are also punishable by one to three years for patients and providers. An earlier draft had proposed the death penalty; the final version did not include it. The vote had 170 of 329 lawmakers present, according to AFP. HRW, Amnesty International and the US State Department condemned or voiced concern about the law, and HRW called for its repeal. Sponsor Raed al-Maliki called it an internal matter.
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