27 April 2024
Iraq Criminalises Same-Sex Relations with Up to 15 Years in Prison
Discrimination International Legal
Iraq's parliament passed amendments imposing 10 to 15 years' imprisonment for same-sex relations, also criminalising gender-affirming medical procedures (1-3 years) and 'promoting homosexuality' (7 years). The law entered into force on 1 July 2024. Earlier drafts had proposed the death penalty, which was removed from the final version after international pressure.
Impact & Significance
Represented a significant regression in a region where, while attitudes were hostile, same-sex relations had not been explicitly criminalised in Iraq since 2003.
Reference Record
- Date
- 27 April 2024
- Era
- 2020-present
- Sources
- 1
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